On 1st July 2026, a small group of cyclists set out on a journey across more than 1,000 kilometres around Sri Lanka. Over 22 days, they travelled through villages, plantations, farming communities, coastal towns and places shaped by generations of history: sharing meals, listening to stories and spending time with people whose experiences helped shape the country in ways that often go unnoticed. Organised by Nūl, and conceptualised as part community engagement initiative, part storytelling project and part call to action. The ride reconnects communities through conversations, relationships and shared experiences while supporting a long-term vision for rebuilding and renewal. Concluding in Kayts, its real aim was to create spaces where people can come together, learn from one another and build stronger communities for the future. Along the route, the team engaged with a wide range of communities, including Vedda communities in Rathugala and Batticaloa; Malayaga Tamil communities in Hatton; Muslim communities in Batticaloa and Mannar, Sinhala communities in the South and many others whose knowledge, traditions and lived experiences continue to offer valuable lessons in resilience, identity and belonging.
Nūl facilitates trust-building conversations, advocacy engagements, capacity and leadership building and storytelling workshops designed alongside local stakeholders, while community participation is central to every aspect of the journey. The bicycle itself has become an important part of that philosophy. Travelling by bicycle allows the team to move at a human pace, creating space for conversations that might otherwise never happen and enables a level of connection and understanding that cannot be achieved through brief visits or formal meetings.
In last year’s edition, what began as a journey around the island became a series of meaningful encounters with community elders, farmers, youth groups, religious leaders, remote villages and families who generously shared their stories, concerns and aspirations.
The Founder of Nūl, Desh Balasubramaniam explains the idea behind this initiative: “We often speak about rebuilding communities, but many communities already possess the wisdom, strength and leadership needed to shape their own futures. The Peace Ride is about creating opportunities to listen, about recognising that every community has stories worth sharing and knowledge worth preserving. Through those conversations, we can begin building stronger relationships and a greater sense of collective responsibility for one another. Whether through a donation, a partnership, a conversation or simply sharing the story, everyone has a role to play.”
This year’s edition represented an important milestone in Nūl’s longer-term vision. The final stop in Kayts held deep personal significance for desh Balasubramaniam and his family, as the ride concluded at his grandfather’s former home, a property that suffered damage during the war but now stands as a symbol of possibility and renewal. Situated on four acres of land, the site will become the future home of the Nūl Hub, as a pilot project, envisioned as a shared community space where local residents, young people, artists, researchers, entrepreneurs, volunteers, members of the diaspora and supporters from around the world can gather to learn, collaborate and contribute to rebuilding efforts together. Rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure, the hub aims to create opportunities for preserving local knowledge, celebrating culture, encouraging dialogue and supporting community-led livelihood initiatives.
Grounded in Nūl’s three pillars of Education, Economic Opportunity and Equity, the Kayts site is going to be developed as a place where community leads. Pilot initiatives include a Women’s Skills and Enterprise Cottage, where women will be building livelihoods through craft training and shared enterprise; skills development embedded in the construction of the site itself; and community-led design processes that ensure local residents shape the stages of what is being built. Together, these represent the first living expression of the Nūl model on the ground.
To mark the conclusion of the ride and share what was experienced along the way, Nūl will host a gathering Barefoot, Colombo on 24 July 2026 at 6.30pm. To attend please register via the website, www.nul.lk The evening will bring together riders, community voices, partners and supporters to share reflections from the 2025 and 2026 Peace Rides, explore Nūl’s vision and initiatives, and begin conversations about what comes next.
To bring this vision to life, Nūl is inviting individuals, businesses, universities, foundations, development partners, community organisations and members of the Sri Lankan and Australian diaspora to support the journey. People can contribute towards the development of the Nūl Hub, support community engagement initiatives, sponsor sections of the ride, partner on workshops, volunteer expertise, amplify stories emerging from communities or provide funding for future programmes.
A pillar of support for the initiative, Dr Joe Williams, Executive Director of Centre for Communications and Training said: “Real change happens when communities are treated not as beneficiaries, but as partners. Nūl’s work around the country exemplifies this approach by listening first, valuing local knowledge and creating spaces where people can shape their own future. This journey around Sri Lanka shines a light on the power of rebuilding together.”
Those interested in supporting the Peace Ride, funding community initiatives, contributing to the future Nūl Hub or partnering with Nūl are encouraged to reach out directly or visit www.nul.lk