The dove they say is the symbol of peace. In the picture is one of the four doves, which was released as a mark of peace and unity at the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Without flying high in the skies, like the other three, this one was watching the colorful ceremony being unfolded from the roof of one of the stadium enclosures. The biggest state-organised sports festival, shifted at the eleventh hour from Beliatta to Colombo, will see athletes from all provinces in the island, including the war-torn North and East, competing in one arena. A happy sight for the dove.

The nation, sports and peace..? A dove thinks
Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha
by Ruchira Mendis

The 33rd National Sports Festival was declared open yesterday with a glamorous opening ceremony at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.

The National Sports Festival, which was to be held at the D.A. Rajapakse Stadium, Beliatta, was moved to Colombo at the eleventh hour due to torrential rains experienced in Southern parts of the country these days.

The Chief Guest of the opening ceremony was Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services, who declared open what is believed the biggest state-organised national level annual sports festival.

Gamini Lokuge, Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Bandula Basnayake, Minister of Sports, were the other distinguished members of the ceremony.

Sugathadasa Stadium being the main venue of the event, fourteen other centres too have been chosen to hold twelve sports disciplines, other than athletic events.

There is a total number of 1926 male and 1377 female participants who are expected to feature in the even, the biggest sports festival of the year.

Surprisingly, there are about 200 competitors from the war-torn North and East Provinces adding diversity to this year’s Festival. All winners this year will receive cash awards.