Gnanapala and Samaraweera win Air Force cycle race

Sajeewa Jayakody

Sri Lanka Air Force Base Diyatalawa emerged overall men’s Champions with 25 points and was awarded the Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama Challenge Trophy while SLAF Base Anuradhapura (15 points) and SLAF Base Palaly (10 points) secured the second and third places respectively in the Annual Road Race 2013 conducted in Colombo yesterday morning, from 7am onwards.

A.C. Gnanapala of SLAF Base, Diyatalawa won the men’s race while A.W. Samaraweera of SLAF Base, Diyatalawa won the women’s race.

Over 450 participants inclusive of Officers, Airmen, Airwomen from various age groups representing all Air Force Bases/Stations/Units took part in this event that concluded at the Riffle Green grounds, Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Colombo.

The Road Race for the under-35 age group was flagged off by the Director Operations Air Vice Marshal GP Bulathsinghala opposite the Independence Square. The competitors rode seven kilometres from Independence Square, Cinnamon Garden Police Station, Colombo Campus ground, in front of Museum, Liberty Roundabout, Pittala Junction, Gangaramaya Mawatha, Nawaloka Junction, Slave Island Colour Lights, Slave Island Police Station and conduced the Race at SLAF Headquarters Rifle Green grounds.

The Road Race over 35 age groups men and women race was flagged off by Director Welfare Air Vice Marshal MLK Perera at Gamini Hall Junction. The competitors had to cover two kilometres on the route from Gamini Gall Junction, Sampath Bank, Lake House Roundabout, AFHQ Roundabout and conducted the race at SLAF Colombo Rifle Green.

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke was the chief guest.

Results:

Overall champions (men): Sri Lanka Air Force Base Diyatalawa (25 points)
Second Place: Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Palaly (15 points)
Third Place: Sri Lanka Air Force Base Palaly (10 points)

Overall champions women: Sri Lanka Air Force Diyatalawa and Sri Lanka Air Force Colombo (22 points)

Third Place: Sri Lanka Air Force Base Palaly (10 points)
Winner (men): 42548 AC Gnanapala (SLAF Base Diyatalawa)
Winner (women): AW 01755 LAC Samaraweera BGCP (SLAF Station Diyatalawa).