Sri Lanka, June 30 -- Sri Lanka's esteemed cycling champion, A. M. Sumanaweera, who dedicated his life to the sport, has passed away. His final rites were conducted today, at the Malwala Crematorium.

Sumanaweera was renowned as an exceptional hill climber and held the joint record for winning the Tour de Lanka four times. His legendary status as a climber remained unmatched throughout his lifetime.

His life was intricately linked with cycling; he even commuted by bicycle from his home in Deiyala, Ratnapura, Nivithigala Road, to his workplace at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in Colombo. Inspired by their father, his children also took up cycling. His two daughters, Dilukshi and Ayesha, achieved significant victories at both national a...