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Land Rover Defender

Good morning everyone! Planning something absolutely mental for next month and need some brave souls to join me. I'm organizing a proper Defender convoy trip from Colombo all the way to Jaffna, taking the scenic coastal route through Mannar and exploring some off-road tracks that I've been researching for months aney!
The plan is to start early in the morning from Liberty Plaza car park, take the A3 highway up to Puttalam, then branch off to explore some of the less traveled roads through the Wilpattu area (with proper permits of course). From there, we'll head to Mannar Island via the causeway and then push on to Jaffna for some proper Tamil food and historical sightseeing.
I'm thinking this will be a 3-day adventure - camping one night somewhere around Mannar (already contacted some local guides) and staying in a guesthouse in Jaffna for the second night. The return journey will be through the A9 highway with a stop at Anuradhapura for some culture.
My Defender is fully kitted out with recovery gear, spare parts, camping equipment, and emergency supplies. I've done similar trips to Arugam Bay and Yala multiple times, so I know how to prepare for these adventures. Looking for 3-4 other Defenders to join the convoy - safety in numbers machang!
Requirements: Your Defender should be in good mechanical condition, you should have basic recovery gear (tow straps, shackles), camping gear or willingness to share, and most importantly - a sense of adventure! Total cost per person will be around Rs. 15,000-20,000 including fuel, food, permits, and accommodation.
Who's up for this once-in-a-lifetime experience? Drop a comment if you're interested and I'll create a WhatsApp group to coordinate the details!

Machang, this sounds absolutely incredible! I've been dreaming of doing a proper northern expedition for years but never had the courage to attempt it solo. Count me in definitely - my 2003 Defender 90 is ready for this kind of adventure!
I've actually done parts of this route before during my university days but never the full coastal stretch through Mannar. The scenery is supposed to be absolutely breathtaking, especially during sunset from the causeway. Plus, I've heard the seafood in Mannar is to die for aney!
My Defender is mechanically sound - just completed a full service at the British Hub last month including timing belt, water pump, and all filters. I've got basic recovery gear including a Hi-Lift jack, tow straps, and a proper first aid kit. Also have a rooftop tent that I used during my Ella camping trips, so accommodation won't be an issue.
One suggestion though - have you considered getting CB radios for the convoy? Mobile network coverage can be patchy in some of those remote areas, and CB radios are much more reliable for convoy communication. I have a handheld unit that we can use as backup.
Also, make sure everyone in the group has their vehicles inspected by someone who knows Defenders before the trip. Last thing we want is a breakdown in the middle of nowhere machang! The A9 highway has decent facilities now, but some of those off-road sections through the Wilpattu area are pretty remote.
Really excited about this - when are you planning to finalize the dates? I need to book leave from work but definitely don't want to miss this adventure!