Lanka Challenge flag-off and awards night

Pix and text by Prasad Abu Bakr

Lanka Challenge is annually organised by a UK-based travel arm in conjunction with Connaissance de Ceylan, promoting travellers from all over the world to gather in Colombo to take up the challenge of steering their own three wheeler or better known as ‘tuk tuk’.

The challenge they take is take a ride through various parts of the island exploring the wild and less-travelled territory in the Southern, Eastern and Central Provinces. The self-drive tuk-tuk challenge gives these teams an up close and personal experience of some of the most fascinating historical sites and views of this island paradise, all the while raising money for local charities and environmental organisations. 

This is the 15th edition of the event to be held and this edition was flagged off by leading cricketing personality Rangana Herath from the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Minuwangoda recently where 42 eager competitors from seven countries comprising 20 teams were officially sent off on their seven-day tour which culminated at a final day awards function at the Mount Lavinia Hotel last week.  

Julian Carnall, who is the Co-founder of Large Minority – an experiential travel operator, offering responsible travel experiences in Sri Lanka and Cambodia – said: “The company incorporates philanthropic projects and eco-friendly initiatives in their travel experiences, which not only intends to promote the destination but give back to the local communities supporting the Red Cross Society of Sri Lanka and LORRIS Foundation (Land Owners Restore Rainforest in Sri Lanka). A total of 10% of each team’s entry fee is given directly to charity partners.”

Every year this event collects over $ 8,000 which is used for different charitable projects including donating textbooks, musical instruments and planting more than 200 indigenous trees to offset carbon emissions. The event organisers intend raising even more funds in Sri Lanka to touch many more lives through its sustainable initiatives annually in future.