Singapore to help build a velodrome in Sri Lanka
Five cyclists who did well at the Inter-Club Criterion Championships around the Vihara Mahadevi Park two weeks ago will take part in the OCBC Cycling Championships to be held at the Singapore Sports Hub on August 29 and 30. The team is scheduled to leave on August 27.
The cyclists are: Jeevan Jayasinghe (SLAF), Naveen Ruchira (SLAF), Thushan Rajapakse (SL Army), Gihan Pushpakumara and Chamika Sandun (Friends CC, Kiribathgoda). Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva will accompany the team as its manager.
According to Dr. Harsha de Silva, discussions will also take place regarding the construction of a fully equipped velodrome in Sri Lanka (A velodrome is an arena for track cycling). Whether it will be an indoor or outdoor velodrome will depend on the outcome of the discussions.In 2002 Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva was the manager of the Sri Lanka team for an eleven day tour of ‘The Tour De Pakistan’ where Sri Lanka bagged the championship. This is the only cycling championship won by Sri Lanka in recent times.
Previously construction on a velodrome commenced at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex costing nearly 70 million rupees but since it was not up to international standards, a swimming pool was constructed instead.
The Sri Lanka team will receive all facilities such as air-fare, accommodation and internal travelling from the Singapore Cycling Federation but the fact remains that Sri Lanka has not participated in a competition of this nature on a velodrome before.