SLT Speed Up Southern Eliyakanda Hill Climb 2020 on 23 February

SMSC President Dr. Sanjaya Sedara Senarath addressing the media

SLT General Manager Corporate Branding Rohana Ellawala handing over the sponsorship cheque to SMSC President Dr. Sanjaya Sedara Senarath

Text and pix by P.D. De Silva

The SLT Speed Up Southern Eliyakanda Hill Climb 2020 will be held at Browns Hill Matara on 23 February.

The Eliyakanda Hill Cimb is organised and conducted by the Southern Motor Sports Club (SMSC) and it is the second year that Sri Lanka›s ultra-fast Broadband provider, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) are the main sponsors. 

This year’s edition of the Southern Eliyakanda Hill Climb on 24 February to be organised and conducted by the Southern Motor Sports Club and is the first event of the SLAS racing calendar for 2020. 

In addition to SLT, CEAT, Mobil Lubricants, Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka, WURTH, Harischandra Mills, Netcore, MSN and Yamaha will support the SMSC to make the event a success.

Speaking at the Media Briefing held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology on Tuesday SLT General Manager Corporate Branding Rohana Ellawala said that it was with pride that SLT continued to come in as the main sponsor of the event. 

The 540 m Eliyakanda track is famous for its unique competitiveness and comprises of some difficult corners including Single Tree Corner, Residency Corner, Southern Corner and Tower Corner which are a challenge for both man and machine. Dilan Senevirathne has been the fastest to cover the course on four wheels clocking 32.40 seconds while Dushan Mudalige is the fastest on two wheels.

Speaking at the event Dilan Senevirathne the overall course record holder said that it takes a lot of skill to negotiate the 540 m track particularly the second hairpin bend which was a real challenge. He said that the Eliyakanda track was safe and that he was looking forward to rewrite the record books on 23 February.

Former course record holder Ashan Silva who has won the event three years in a row to keep the Preethi Palliyaguru Trophy said that the climb gets faster and faster each year and was looking forward to reclaim the top spot again.

SMSC President Dr. Sanjaya Sedara Senarath thanked the sponsors, the participants and the media for the support extended to make the Eliyakanda Hill Climb possible. He also said that in addition to SMSC’s other annual events there were plans to organise a Super Cross and a Speed Rally this year. 

SMSC Immediate Past President Ashshar Hameem said that Yamaha had sponsored a display of stunt riding and would take place on Beach Road from 4 p.m. onwards on 22 February. Sixteen motorcycle and 17 motorcar events are to be held this year and entry forms should be handed over to Marble Decor 175, Nawala Road, Nawala (11 7254 455, fax 11 2817 955), Reliable Motor Agency 55, Kumaratunga Mawatha, Matara (041 2222 330, fax 041 2222 330), Auto Care Centre, Akuressa Road, Hittetiya, Matara (041 2228 297) on or before 15 February.