Sri Lankan cyclist Sugath Pathirana returned to the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, on the morning of December 27, completing his remarkable 7,000-kilometre journey that spanned 75 days.
Pathirana embarked on his extraordinary ride from Dondra Head in Matara, at the southern tip of Sri Lanka, to Kashmir, reports appearing in Lankan media suggest.
Starting his journey from Dondra Head, Pathirana cycled to Point Pedro, the northernmost point of Sri Lanka, before crossing the sea to Nagapattinam in India via the Kankesanthurai harbour.
He continued his journey through Dhanushkodi, Kanyakumari, and up the length of India, eventually reaching Kashmir.
A key supporter of his expedition was Lumala, a Sri Lankan bicycle manufacturer, which provided Pathirana with a customised bicycle featuring additional features tailored to his needs.
Pathirana returned to Sri Lanka aboard Air India flight AI-271 from Chennai, arriving at 7 am on December 27.
He was warmly welcomed at the airport by his sister, two children, and officials from Lumala, including the company’s general manager.
Speaking after his arrival, Pathirana revealed plans for an even more ambitious cycling expedition.
He intends to embark on a journey from Cape Town in South Africa to Magadan in Russia, covering a staggering 22,387 kilometres across 17 countries.
Pathirana shared that his travels aim to promote global cycling culture while also contributing to the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
(Kashmir Life)
Leave a comment