Sulochana, a cycling star in the making

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The plains of North Central Province have always been a paradise for young cyclists who ride along the no traffic roads for hours moving freely.

Sulochana Sewwandi Hewapathirana a grade 12 student from Anuradhapura took it beyond a hobby at the age of 13 and cycled until she won the 2011 All Island Schools Cycle race in the girls category. Sulochana, circled her cycle twelve times around the streets of Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo to win the solitary gold medal for her school, Anuradhapura Central College in All Island Schools Sports Festival 2011.

Four years ago in 2007, when she was 13 years Sulochana won her first cycle event, when she finished first the Kashyapa mountain cycle race in under 13 age category. She continued her winning spree to win many championships including 2007 Singer cycle race, 2009 and 2010 Anuradhapura district championships.‘My parents and teachers are behind my success and achievements, I am still 19 and there’s a long way to go, I am sure my family, teachers and friends will be with me until I reach the top’, said Sulochana of her ambitions.

‘There were lot of obstacles and challenges, but I kept my head up and I could overcome them, sure I will tackle any in the future to bring pride to my school and my home town as well,’ added the young biker who already has shown that she is well capable of what she express, to be a splash of water in hot and dry North Central plains.