Ride For Ceylon to Celebrate its 10th Ride to Support Manipay Green Memorial Hospital
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – November 25, 2025; Ride for Ceylon, the globally recognised endurance cycling initiative, announced the details of its landmark 10th Anniversary Ride, set to take place from March 11th to 14th, 2026. This four-day, 450+ km charity cycling event unites riders from around the world to conquer the journey from Colombo to Manipay, Jaffna, raising crucial funds for the Manipay Green Memorial Hospital.
A Legacy of Impact and Global Unity
Founded in 2017 by the UK-registered charity, Friends of Manipay Hospital (FOMH), Ride for Ceylon began with just six dedicated cyclists and has blossomed into a global sports tourism movement. It attracts participants from nations including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, America, Canada, and Sri Lanka. In 2024 alone, the event proudly hosted 75 international participants, showcasing Sri Lanka’s cultural richness and hospitality.
The initiative was co-founded by Dr Jayantha Arnold, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology at Ealing Hospital, and Mr Anandan Arnold, Senior Partner at BBK Partnership Chartered Accountants, after they discovered their childhood hospital had closed and was abandoned in 2004.
The core purpose remains unwavering, which is to raise funds for the restoration and operation of the Manipay Green Memorial Hospital and the development of the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), FOMH’s local delivery partner. The hospital operates on a non-profit basis, providing essential services, including free care for neurodivergent children, and plans to establish early cancer detection clinics soon.
Crucially, all funds raised are channelled into a transparent pool, prioritised for core needs, ensuring maximum impact. Infrastructure development funded by FOMH also helps keep operational costs low while maintaining high standards.
The 10th Anniversary Challenge
The 2026 Ride will kick off after its 10th Annual Gala & Opening Ceremony on March 10th at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo. The official announcement was made at a press conference hosted at the Cinnamon Lakeside, sharing the vision for the decade milestone, and the unveiling of the official ride T-shirt, as well as the introduction of the main sponsors. The event was graced by Mr Noel Joseph and Mr Paven Savun, a veteran rider who joined the event as a novice many years ago and has since become a dedicated annual participant.
Amanda Ishadi, the celebrated Mrs Sri Lanka and runner-up to Mrs World in Las Vegas, who serves as a key ambassador for the event, emphasised the project’s unifying social impact, “Ride for Ceylon is undertaking amazing work, successfully cultivating a remarkable level of positive energy across all segments of the community. I am delighted to be riding together with the team in March 2026.”
Mr Ino Sooran, known for his incredible three-month cycling journey from Paris to Jaffna, covering more than 10,000 km across 12 countries, spoke in anticipation of the event, “It is a great pleasure to join the team of Ride for Ceylon. I sincerely look forward to riding alongside all the foreign participants coming to Sri Lanka in March 2026.”
A special mention is made of the Directors of Ride For Ceylon, Mr Nishantha Abeyawardene and Mr Sriomal de Silva, for their invaluable guidance and commitment to the cause.
The organisers will provide essential on-the-ground support, including crucial medical and route assistance, guaranteeing a safe and memorable experience for all participants. All participants cover their own travel and accommodation costs, and commercial sponsorships help subsidise the event’s operating expenses. This structure ensures that 100% of all funds raised by the riders are directed toward good causes. The main endurance challenge requires cyclists to complete the full route, promoting health equity, community upliftment, and reconciliation across the island nation.
Anandan Arnold, Trustee of FOMH, emphasised the event’s dual mission, “Turning wheels, changing lives, that’s what Ride for Ceylon is all about. For 10 years, this ride has been more than a physical challenge; it has been a powerful engine for health equity, demonstrating global solidarity. Every pedal stroke from Colombo to Manipay funds vital, non-profit healthcare services, directly empowering communities and fostering reconciliation in the North.”
Ride for Ceylon has now garnered global exposure, with a health and humanitarian impact, engaging an audience comprising professionals, athletes, diplomats, and diaspora communities, showcasing the scale and profile of the initiative.
Registration for the event is now closed, having secured 85 dedicated cyclists for the upcoming challenge. However, the organisers are open to discussing potential commercial sponsorship opportunities for the event.
Event: Ride for Ceylon 10th Anniversary Ride
- Dates: March 11th – 14th, 2026
- Distance: 450+ km, Colombo to Manipay, Jaffna
- 10th Annual Gala & Opening Ceremony: March 10th, 2026, Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo
Contact Information:
- Website:RIDEFORCEYLON.ORG
- Email: admin@rideforceylon.org
- Media Contact (UK): Meera Arnold, +44 7956 606688
- Media Contact (Sri Lanka): Jeromena, +94 704 111 110
