Where Pedal Power makes Patient Power

By Sharmila Meadows

As another February dawns, Sri Lanka opens its doors to over 50 cyclists from twelve different countries for the tenth annual charity bicycle tour of Sri Lanka, run by the charity Trek4Ceylon.

The charity bicycle ride, operative since 2017, has become a fixture of the Sri Lankan social calendar, and this year draws cyclists and supporters from countries as varied as the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Tanzania, Turkey, the UAE, Colombia and the USA, who will cycle alongside a strong contingent of local cyclists to support hospital service provision.

The 2026 Tour of Ceylon continues the charity’s long emphasis upon Sri Lanka’s medical services and will be fundraising for St Luke’s Methodist Mission Hospital in Puttur, Jaffna, with whom the charity has a multiyear commitment. Specifically, the Tour’s 2026 funds will support the renovation of the main hospital building to offer daily out patient and emergency treatment services.

The Tour will commence on 10 February in Colombo, from where it will pedal to Galle, then Hambantota before moving up country to Dambulla, and cycling on to Elephant Pass and into the Jaffna Peninsula. The Tour concludes at St Luke’s on 14 February.

Pioneered by the Sri Lankan desi, and lead by its UK-based organiser and co-founder, David Rasiah, the annual cycling tours are proving a persuasive tool to raise awareness and gather momentum for the island’s healthcare services.  “The rides give us a chance to place a global spotlight on Sri Lanka and to educate others on the medical infrastructure needs faced by a province like Jaffna,” says David. “There’s something very galvanising about that. It resonates with people – they see what we’re doing and they connect with our motivation. That has to be good for the whole island.”

David leads a small, dedicated team of volunteers who make the annual cycling tour possible. Ride Chair Trinushka Perera, Ride Captain Pradeep Gnanasekaram and Chief Marshal, Senesh de Mel are supported by Mark Wilcox as Technical Adviser and fitness instructor Ronnie Smith from the UK, with Julian Brainerd from Canada serving as Project Coordinator. During the ride, this core team will be underpinned by an international crew of volunteer marshals and most importantly, the cyclists.

“There are so many people and partners who offer their time and skills to help realise our goals” affirms David, and notably, Trek4Ceylon extends its sincerest thanks to their excellencies, Andrew Patrick, Matthew Duckworth and Isabelle Martin, the High Commissioners of the UK, Australia and Canada respectively, for their passionate and ongoing engagement.

Crucial to the Ride’s operation are of course its sponsors, including gold sponsors, EPOS and Ekinops, alongside Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo (Hospitality Partner); Derena (Media Partner); Wijeya Publications (Print partner); Asiri Hospitals (Healthcare partner); Lumala (Logistics partner); H.O.T (travel partner); and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. The charity is also grateful to the Sri Lankan Police for providing safety and security for the cyclists.

As a charity, Trek4Ceylon uses cycling, trekking and other activities, including intrepid expeditions to Everest Base Camp in 2024 and Mount Kilimanjaro in 2025, to raise funds for healthcare provision in Sri Lanka, but the annual bicycle tour remains its centrepiece.

“A cross-island bicycle ride like this is just a huge showcase for Sri Lanka, for its landscape, wildlife and beauty, but ultimately for its people” concludes David. “If that leverages interest and invites others into our island story, then we hope it carries benefits for all the people of this country.”

Trek4Ceylon is a UK registered charity. To find out more or get involved, visit www.trek4ceylon.com.