‘Lanka Challenge 2011’ trishaw race starts off in grand style

The ‘Lanka Challenge 2011’ trishaw race started off in grand style on Saturday 20 August 2011 at 8:30 a.m. from the premises of Tangerine Tree Hotel, Minuwangoda.

The competitors kicked off to a solid start, with the official flag-off given by the Acting Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Vipula Wanigasekara along with the presence of the other organisers of the event.
A total number of 10 teams consisting 25 international participants took part in the rally which was organised for the third consecutive year.
The 12-day rickshaw challenge will give the foreign participant teams an up close and personal experience of some of the most fascinating historical sites and natural delights of the spice island, while raising money for local charities and environmental organisations.
The competition will take place from 19 to 30 August 2011, where the participants will travel around the country in one of the funkiest modes of transport invented by man – the humble auto-rickshaw (three-wheeler/trishaw).
In this year’s challenge, the event will also explore the east coast; wild, adventurous and less travelled territories – where participants can expect even more remote, scenic and challenging roads.
After completing two successful rounds in year 2009 and 2010 through the first and second editions of the Lanka Challenge, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism, the organisers planed to continue their meaningful adventure with the ‘Lanka Challenge 2011’ third rally.  
Partner and Organiser of Large Minority Julian Carnall, who along with Juan Paredes conceived and organised this event, said:  “After the success of the ‘Lanka Challenge 2009 and 2010,’ it is only natural to carry on our legacy and continue our meaningful adventure.
We hope to once again captivate the world through our responsible tourism initiatives, which in this occasion will also include the Tamil-speaking areas.”
Paredes adds: “We want to bring positive change and make a difference, but most importantly we want to show the world that Sri Lanka is a safe and peaceful place to visit.
It is an island of endless diversity, it is beautiful, sweet and gentle, exotic and interesting, simply fascinating – we both adore it.”
‘Lanka Challenge 2011’ is endorsed and supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is the proud events partner with TVS Lanka (PLC) as the main sponsor for the event and Connaissance de Ceylan as the official travel partner.