Cycling in Islamabad and Colombo
By : Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
Cycling is a great cardio exercise. Specially when there is no traffic, specially on a beach front road, you really enjoy your cycling rides.
My wife is extremely worried when I do cycle on road as I had a bad accident few years ago.
I was appointed as Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Pakistan in October 2023, based in Islamabad. Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan is planned city at the foothills of beautiful Margalla Hills. It’s federally administered by Islamabad Capital Territory. Established as a planned city in 1960 and most of the constructions completed in 1967, it became the Capital of Pakistan.
Divided in to eight sectors – namely Diplomatic Enclave, Administrative area, Defense Sector, residential areas, educational area, Industrial Sector, Commercial Area, Rural Area and Green Sectors. Islamabad very well known for its parks and Margalla hills National park. One of the most beautiful Golf Courses I have seen, Margalla hills Golf Course owned by Pakistan Navy at the foothills of the Margalla hills. If you’re not keen on Golf, beautiful trails are available in Margalla hill for you for walking and trekking. Air pollution minimal and pleasant weather prevails most of year-round, other than very hot summers.
Sri Lanka Amateur  Golf team which won President JR Jayawardena Trophy after prolonged years beating Pakistan team during 63rd National Amateur Golf Championship at picturiqe Margalla Hills Golf Course, Islamabad on 20 April 2024 with writer Uchitha Ranasinghe (L) from Royal Colombo Golf Club and Able Seaman Chalitha Pushpika from Sri Lanka Navy
What about Cycling in Islamabad? One of the best places to cycling with very good/ wide roads with clearly marked cycling lanes.
So, when I settled down in Islamabad with my family, I enjoyed cycling. Whether it’s the leadership of Pakistan (both civilian and military) or road side “Chai Wallah” (road side tea shop owners who sell hot and sweet Kashmiri tea) has special place in their hearts for Sri Lanka. To be frank with you, I got addicted to long cycling trips and when I am tired, stop at road side tea boutique “chit – chat” with Chai Wallah whilst enjoying hot cup of Kashmiri tea. I never felt insecure or away from my own country.
The best place to cycling without traffic is inside Diplomatic Enclave. Time to time Embassies arrange cycling days on Sundays, where both my son and myself were able to participate. It’s a great fun and exercise on Sunday morning with Yamuna joining us with other ladies from diplomatic corps to have breakfast together.
My son and myself with Yamuna during ASEAN cycling day organized by Indonesian Embassy, Islamabad
Sri Lanka High Commission and Residences of High Commissioner/ staff in Islamabad is in rented locations. These rented facilities are very costly. We were able secure beautiful land in Diplomatic Enclave for Sri Lanka High Commission, adjoining Romanian Embassy and Poland Embassy last year and it should be one of our priorities to build a High Commission and housing facility for High Commissioner and staff in this land. It will save lot of money.
Long pending land acquisition project of Sri Lanka High Commission land was completed diligently by coordinating with Capital Development Authority of Islamabad by Barrister Hassan Jawed Khan, the Honorary Legal Adviser of the High Commission free of charge. Hassan’s father was our Honorary Counsel in Peshawar for very long time. Thank you Hassan for your great service with no cost to Sri Lanka.
The best example is Sri Lanka High commission Complex in New Delhi, where I served as First Secretary/ Defence Advisor in years 2000 to 2004.
Land allocated to Sri Lanka High commission in Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad
On my return to Sri Lanka in November 2024, I wanted to continue my cycling. However, with Colombo city traffic on working days, it’s an impossible task and dangerous also. Our driver, specially buses do not have any respect to poor cyclists!
So, only days you can have a peaceful and enjoyable cycling journey is on weekends and holidays.
Few months back our graceful Mayor of Colombo Mrs Varie Cally Baltherzar started a great initiative promoting “Greener Urban Environment through Cycling in Colombo Municipal Council, where Hon Governor of Western Province, Hon Hanif Yusoof was also present. “Sunday Cycling “initiative was a great success with cycling lane, specially in Reid Avanue, Kumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha and independence square area was available for keen cyclists like me to have enjoyable and stress-free cycling journey.
Colombo Mayor inaugurating “Sunday Cycling “initiative at Rieid Avanue, Colombo 7.
However, sad to say this initiative greatly hampered by vehicles parking on dedicated “Cycle Lanes” which are clearly demarcated. Now the poor cyclists like me had to careful of buses and other luxury vehicles moving at high speeds on Sundays! Can IGP take some action to educate our ignorant drivers that “Cycle Lanes” are marked not park vehicles on Sundays!
Vehicles and three wheelers parked on “Cycling Lanes” on Sundays
ABOUT AUTHOR:
Written By: Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
WV, RWP and Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn, Bsc
(Hons) (War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras)
Former Navy Commander and Former Chief of Defense Staff
Former Chairman, Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd
Former Managing Director Ceylon Petroleum Corporation
Former High Commissioner to Pakistan
