11.7.2008

President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured that the country will soon be able to stage the National Sports Festival in Kilinochchi when the region is liberated from the clutches of terrorism.

President made these remarks when he addressed the gathering after declaring open the 34th National Sports Festival at D.A. Rajapaksa Stadium in Beliatta.

He also said that sports can bring about peace and prosperity to the country and his vision is to have sports complexes in every province if not every district of the country.

The National Sports Festival is Sri Lanka's main domestic mega sports event which includes 24 sports items organised by the Sri Lankan Sports ministry at a cost of Rs. 50 million.

Three thousand sports persons from nine provinces are contesting at the sports event this year.