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| Sunday, 7 November 2004 |
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Cycle Cyclone 2004 on today The long-awaited Cycle Cyclone will be held today (Sunday). It is organised by Intermediate Technology Group (ITDG) along with the Interim Committee for Cycling in Sri Lanka and Mountain Biking Association. The event is co-sponsored by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) as media sponsors. Cycle Cyclone 2004 will start at two points - Ja-Ela and Moratuwa with a total of around 3,000 cyclists. The finish will be opposite Viharamahadevi Park. Dr. Visakha Hidellana, Director ITDG said there should be a way of educating the people of the country of using a cycle. That was the main reason why his organisation undertook the task of this nature with assistance from ICC and the Mountain Biking Association. He said that Sri Lanka has a population of around 19 million people but only three million cycles are being used. Two Ministers - Transport Minister Felix Perera will lead the rally at Ja-Ela which starts at 7.30 a.m. while the scheduled rally from Moratuwa will be led by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga. People from all walks of life - schoolchildren, postmen, paper sellers, lottery ticket sellers, various kinds of vendors and members of the public will participate in the historic event. They will cycle through Negombo Road, New Kelani Bridge, Danister de Silva Mawatha, Dudley Senanayaka Mawatha, Horton Place and finish at Viharamahadevi Park. The Rally from Moratuwa will peddle along Galle Road to Kollupitiya and via Horton Place will arrive at Viharamahadevi Park. The Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force too will participate in this rally while the Police will give their assistance in controlling the traffic to make this event a success without inconveniencing the other road users on this day. The Interim Committee for Cycling and Mountain Biking Association have made arrangements to hold events for Standard Bikes and a racing event for elite riders on this day. The Mountain Biking Association will conduct six events on an artificial track laid at Viharamahadevi Park to keep the spectators and the general public entertained with these sporting events said Amal Suriyage, President of the Mountain Biking Association. He also disclosed that participating vendors will be given a dole of Rs. 200 as they are liable to lose their day's earnings. In the meantime they will be given the opportunity to make their sales at the park on this day. In addiction there will be many other sales outlets put out for the benefit of the general public. Standard riders are to peddle 10 laps around the Park while the riders in the Elite class have ride the 1.9 kilometre circuit 15 times. The winners of these and Mountain Biking events are to receive gold, silver, bronze medal in addition to cash awards and other gift packs. Winners of under-13 and 16 events will not be awarded with cash. |
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