The Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya 2022, the 23rd edition of the race was flagged off by the Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination and Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa on the invitation by Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana this morning (4 March 2022) in front of Air Force Headquarters. This year’s race which commenced today is conducted in line with the 71st anniversary.

The Men's race that commenced in this morning recorded a highest number of cyclists as the first ever in the Air Force Cycling history, 215 cyclists and is scheduled to complete its first lap at Puttalam, covering a distance of 138km of the race. The race will be concluded on 06 March 2022 in front of the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake after completion of three laps in three days.

The Women’s race will be commenced at Puttalam on 06 March 2022 and is scheduled to conclude in front of the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, covering a distance approximately 100km. The route for Women’s race will pass through Chilaw and Negombo.

The Principle Sponsor for the 23rd Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya is Abans Group of Companies while SLT Mobitel as the official Telecommunication Partner, Bank of Ceylon as the official Banking Partner and Peoples Insurance as the official Insurance Partner. At the same time the event will be co-sponsored by Maliban Biscuit Manufactories Private Limited and Link Naturals Private Limited. The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Channel Eye is the Official Electronic Media Partner and Neth FM is the Official Radio Partner. The entire race telecasts live on Channel Eye. This is the only Cycle Race in Sri Lanka which features the entire race live through a Bell-212 helicopter along with Sri Lanka Rupavihini Corporation. 

 

The awards ceremony will be held on 06 March 2022 at the Eagles' Lagoon View Banquet Hall located at Katunayake.

This year’s race was organized by SLAF Cycling under the leadership of Chairman SLAF Cycling, Air Commodore Kithsiri Leelarathne and under the guidance of the Secretary SLAF Cycling, Group Captain Ranga Perera. Today’s event was organized with the adherence to the specially issued health guidelines with respect to the prevention of COVID-19.