The Sri Lanka Air Force is preparing for their trademark event Air Force Cycle Race commonly known as (Guwan Hamudha Papedi Sawariya), as all arrangements have been made for its 25th edition, which will be held on Sunday 3 March in line with the 73rd Anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force. 

In a special new addition for the first time in their history since 1999, the men's competition of the Air Force Cycle Race will be held as a five-day edition. Arrangements have also been made to hold team competitions for both men and women.

“The men's race, which will start on 3 March from Galle Face in Colombo, is scheduled to finish on 7 March at the Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna with an expected participation of  180-200 cyclists. A team from the Indian Air Force, which accepted the invitation given to foreign air forces, will also participate in the competition,” said Air Force Cycling Association Secretary, Group Captain Ranga Perera, speaking at the press conference held at the New Air Force Headquarters at Akuregoda.  

The total distance of the men's race is 682 km and its route is set to reach Jaffna via Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Vavuniya from Colombo. The women’s race will cover the route from Mankulam to Jaffna set to be held on 7 March with a distance of 98 km.

Sports clubs affiliated to the Sri Lanka Cycling Association have been given the chance to register their teams through online registration. This year, the winner in the men's competition will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 500,000, while the second and third places will receive Rs. 300,000 and Rs. 200,000 respectively. The women’s winner will be awarded  Rs. 125,000 second and third places will be given Rs. 80,000 and Rs. 60,000 respectively.

Adding new dynamics to the sport in addition to the prize money, the Sri Lanka Air Force has made arrangements to provide a daily allowance to the athletes participating in the race. Accordingly, in the men's competition, Rs. 2500 on day-1 and Rs. 3000 from day-2 onwards will be allocated. All women’s cyclists will be provided with a Rs. 3000 allowance. 

Sri Lanka Air Force Cycling Association President Air Force Director General (Air Operations) Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, Air Force Cycling Association Secretary Group Captain Ranga Perera, Sri Lanka Cycling Association Secretary Naleen Adhikari, Director-Nippon Paints (Main Sponsor) Nemantha Abeysinghe and other sponsors participated were present at the pre-race press conference.