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Taking in the amazing sights and sounds of the paradise island that is Sri Lanka, 35 riders from all walks of life and nationalities recently rode almost 1,500kms around our nation to raise funds for a worthy cause.
‘Around the Pearl,’ which kicked off on 12 April, was successfully concluded 10 days later with riders from as far as Scotland, France, Germany, Netherlands and the USA joining cycle enthusiasts and their back-up teams from Sri Lanka for a ride of a lifetime.
The ‘Around the Pearl’ ride is organised by Jetwing Adventures, on behalf of the Wheels for Wheels Foundation and works in partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) to facilitate the wheelchair project for the children with Cerebral Palsy.
Since its inception in 2014, ‘Around the Pearl’ has raised substantial funds and donated over 1,900 wheelchairs in 20 districts as an initial step towards reaching the herculean challenge of providing 10,000 wheelchairs. For more information and to donate please visit www.aroundthepearl.lk.
Supporting the worthy cause and providing an unique accommodation experience for the riders, Sri Lanka’s pioneering outdoor adventure sport and tourism company Eco Team facilitated a fully-fledged luxury camping facility in Mullikulam, north of Wilpattu this year. The camping site which can be erected at any open space included camping gear like sleeping bags and pillows, mobile washroom and toilet facilities, and scrumptious meals for the weary riders.
“For most of the tour we stayed at hotels and resorts, but by far most of us agreed that camping night was the best night of all. The facilities and food was simply amazing. Kudos to Eco Team for being a part of our journey for many years and ensuring that our riders are well taken care of,” said Commander Ravi Weerapperuma (Rtd), SL Navy who has been one of the ride’s active advocates for many years. Eco Team is the only outdoor adventure tourism company that has the ability to set up luxury camping facilities around the island for even up to 1,500 guests. The camps include facilities that would normally be available at luxury hotels with attached bathrooms, comfortable beds and linen, and are even tastefully decorated to suit the type of adventure or terrain that you are at.
Also speaking on the camping site provided for ‘Around the Pearl,’ Eco Team’s Consultant New Projects and Business Development Channa Jayasundara said: “Eco Team has been a partner of the ‘Around the Pearl’ initiative for many years. In 2016 we arranged the camp for the riders in Mullaitivu and this year we provided the accommodation at Mullikulam. We have always been happy to be a part of activities promoting Sri Lanka as an adventure tourism destination, and ‘Around the Pearl’ takes it further by also being a worthy cause. We’re looking forward to being a greater part of this adventure next year as well.”
Apart from mobile tenting, Eco Team also has its own stationary camp sites in Wilpattu, Yala, Udawalawe and Sri Lanka’s first luxury bushwalks camp Ahas Pokuna in Belihul Oya.
For more information on Eco Team please contact 0702 228222 or visit their website www.ecoteam.lk.