Sasindu Prashansana and Zaakir Wahab stamp their class at “Purple Sun Hill Climb 2025”
After a few years another thrilling edition of “Purple Sun Hill Climb Seethawaka – 2025” unfolded on the picturesque entrance road of Sun Hill Resort, Awissawella, a few days ago. The track offered a unique challenge with its steep inclines, tight corners, and ever-changing mountain weather, and it eventually separated the best from the rest. This year’s edition managed to provide an exhilarating showcase of skill, precision, and high-octane competition. After clocking the fastest times, Sasindu Prashansana emerged as the best rider, while Zaakir Wahab became the best driver with a triple crown.
The event saw nearly 100 racing stars in the country, while a large gathering of spectators flocked beside the Purple Sun Hill Climbing track to witness the breathtaking races. The event was well organised by the “Sri Lanka Motorcycle Club” in conjunction with the “Senkadagala Motorsports Club”.
Sasindu Prashansana emerged as the fastest rider of the event by clocking a magical time of 19.381 seconds, and he was the only competitor to clock under 20 seconds on this challenging track. Further, Sasindu, the undisputed champion, has secured the ‘fastest rider’ title in all hill climbs that took place in 2025.
In addition, Gihan Sanjeewa, the renowned hill climb rider, managed to secure a hattrick and new records in the Purple Sun Hill Climb by continuing his excellent form that he showcased during the Mahagasthota Hill Climb a few months ago. By competing in three different race classes, he managed to clock the fastest run times, writing the victory under his name.
- Group M – Std. Mod. Bikes Over 100cc up to 150cc (2T) | 21.935 Secs.
- Group O – Std. Bikes Over 100cc – 125cc | 23.747 Secs.
- Group M – Std. Bikes One Make – Fz 160cc | 23.756 Secs.
In the motor car events, the veteran rider Zaakir Wahab emerged as the fastest driver of the day after clocking 20.712 seconds. Zaakir, who comes from a motor racing family, managed to secure the hat-trick of events (SL-H 1600cc – Winner, SL-S 3500cc – Winner and SL-GT 3500cc – Winner).
Another highlight of the day was the felicitation that was given to Cassim Wahab for his 50 years of motorsport excellence. The senior Wahab has been a true icon in Sri Lankan motorsports and a life member of the Sri Lanka Motorcycle Club (SLMCC), he has achieved a remarkable milestone by competing for 50 years on the track. Even in this competition, he competed head-to-head with his own sons Javidh, Ishraq, and Zaakir, keeping the Wahab legacy alive on the racetrack. Currently, he races in the Group T & J Class, proving that passion and determination never age.
Further, the prominent female competitor, Kaushalya Ariyadasa, managed to win the runner-up position at the Group SL – H Cars up to 2000 cc – One make – Subaru Legacy event by adding some feminine flavour to the track.
Motorcycle Segment – Results
Event 1 – Group 0 Standard Motorcycles over 100 cc up to 125 cc
1 Gihan Sanjeewa 23.747
2 Dilan Rathnayake 24.215
3 Chenuka Caldera 25.172
Event 2 – Group 0 Standard Motorcycles over 100 cc up to 160 cc 4T
1 S. B. Appuhamy 22.815
2 Bisath Alwis 22.836
3 Chenuka Caldera 23.521
Event 3 – Group M Standard Motorcycle One Make Yamaha FZ 160 cc
1 Gigan Sanjeewa 23.765
2 Dilan Rathnayake 24.093
3 Krishan Pasindu 25.267
Event 4 – Group 0 Standard Modified Motorcycles over 160 cc up to 200 cc
1 Keshav Ragunathan 23.474
2 Teeshan Fernando 24.099
3 Dinusha Siriwardhane 25.273
Event 5 – Group M Standard Modified Motorcycles over 100 cc up to 150 cc 2T
1 Gihan Sanjeewa 21.935
2 Shashika Chamodya 22.691
3 Bisath Alwis 22.885
Event 6 – Group M Standard Modified Street Trail over 100 cc up to 125 cc
1 Sudesh Jayalath 22.967
2 Tiran Palihakkara
Event 7 – Group SM Motorcycle One Make Kawasaki Tracker up to 250 cc
1 Maheel Pavithra 20.867
2 Harith Chamalitha 21.146
3 Dinusha Priyantha 22.203
Event 8 – Group M Street Trail Standard Modified Motorcycle over 175 cc up to 250 cc
1 Sarath Kumarasinghe 21.529
2 Sadeepa Munasinghe 23.229
3 Keshav Ragunathan 23.404
Event 9 – Club Event Motorcycle Classic up to 350 cc
1 Rusith Shamika 26.047
2 Lanka Jayasinghe 27.586
3 S. A. Sarath Kumara 28.785
Event 10 – Club Event Motorcycle Classic over 350 cc
1 Dumindu Fernando 26.116
2 Kasun Welikala 27.579
3 Akila Udayanga 27.761
Event 11 – Group SM Classic Motorcycles up to 250 cc
1 Keshav Ragunathan 22.093
2 Sarath Kumarasinghe 22.207
3 Maheel Pavithra 24.583
Event 12 – Group M Super Sports Motorcycles over 175 cc up to 250 cc 2T
1 Ranuja Rajitha 21.926
2 Chenuka Caldera 22.291
3 Sachin Kaushalya 22.474
Event 13 – Group SM Super Motard Motorcycles over 175 cc up to 250 cc 4T
1 Imesh Pathum 20.077
2 Ashan Mihiranga 22.302
3 Shashika Chamodya 22.361
Event 14 – Group SM Super Motard Motorcycles up to 750 cc 4T
1 Bhanuka Lakmal 21.047
2 Dhanusha Fernando 21.770
3 Palaniyandi Rajaguru 21.899
Event 15 – Group M Sports Touring Motorcycles over 125 cc up to 700 cc 4T
1 Kevin Liyanage 21.360
2 Tharindu Dinendra 22.302
3 Saman Kotuwage 25.183
Event 16 – Group M Super Sports Motorcycles over 900 cc up to 1000 cc 4T
1 Harish Sivagnanam 21.101
2 Kevin Liyanage 21.397
3 Sabeer Mimshard 21.977
Event 17 – Group M Sports Touring Motorcycles over 800 cc up to 1400 cc 4T
1 Pasindu Prashansana 19.881
2 Imesh Pathum 20.372
3 Supun Suraj 20.782
Motorcars Segment – Results
Event 1 – Group SL – H Cars up to 1600 cc
1 Zaakir Wahab 20.712
2 Thushan Madushanka 22.995
3 Deluxsha Perera 24.322
Event 2 – Group SL – H Cars up to 2000 cc – One make – Subaru Legacy
1 Shiyan Arambawatta – 22.758
2 Kaushalya Ariyadasa – 26.637
3 Krishan Senarathne – 26.913
Event 3 – Group SL – S Cars up to 3500 cc
1 Zaakir Wahab 21.345
2 Binara Panduwawala 23.001
3 Harsha Panduwawala 26.129
Event 4 – Group SL – GT Cars up to 3500 cc
1 Zaakir Wahab 21.571
2 Ishraq Wahab 22.229
3 Javidh Wahab 25.056
Photo courtesy : SLMoto fb page, Racing in Sri Lanka FB page
