“Lanka Ride 2025” is a cycling event organized by the cfor the first time in history.

A media briefing to raise awareness about the ‘Lanka Ride 2025′ cycling event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Lake House Institute, Department of Sports Development, and the Cycling Umpires’ Association, was held at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports today (Nov. 12).

Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, said that this Lanka Ride cycling event is being held to introduce the people of this country to sports, create a sports culture, and popularize cycling among the people of this country.

The Minister said that it is a special occasion for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to organize this ‘Lanka Ride 2025’ cycling event for the first time in history.

The Minister further stated at this media briefing that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will continue to implement various programs to promote sports, and the Lanka Ride 2025 cycling race is one such program.

Participating in this event, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne said that programs should be created to attract people to sports to create a good sports culture. He said that one of the objectives of the Lanka Ride 2025 cycling race is to attract people to sports.

This time, the Deputy Minister of Sports said that a large prize money will be given to the athletes and teams who participate in the Lanka Ride 2025 cycling race and win, and that creating a healthy population through sports will have a positive impact on the country’s economy.

The race will start in front of Lake House Institute on December 18 and will be a seven-kilometer free run on the first day. The race will then start in front of Peliyagoda Police Station and from there it will be a 106-km run to Gannoruwa. On the second day (December 19), the race will cover 136km from Kandy via Dambulla and reach Anuradhapura. On the third day (December 20), the race will cover 208km from Anuradhapura along the Puttalam road and end in front of Independence Square in Colombo.

The first place winner will receive Rs. 060,000, the second place winner Rs. 50,000, the third place winner Rs. 40,000 and the runners finishing up to 25th place will receive cash prizes.

It is also expected that the best young cyclist under 23 will receive Rs. 200,000, the best mountain climber Rs. 100,000, the short-course winners selected based on points will receive Rs. 100,000, the best cycling team Rs. 200,000, and the best runner-up team Rs. 100,000 as cash prizes.

Athletes have been given the opportunity to compete in teams, and each cycling team should have a maximum of 06 athletes and a minimum of 04 athletes. The last date for accepting applications is December 12.

Director General of the Department of Sports Development V. Premachandhiran, President of the Cycling Judges Association Upul Chandana, and Brand Promotion Manager Darsha Chandrasiri participated in this event.