President opens Sri Lanka's 38th National Sports Festival

 Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today ceremonially inaugurated the 38th National Sports Festival at the Sugathadasa Stadium complex in Colombo.

Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage welcomed the President to the venue.

The President said that he was extending his greetings to all athletes who are participating in the Sports Festival representing all the provinces in the country and called on them to promote brotherhood.

The event began after President Rajapaksa officially declared the games open. International medal winners Olympian Jayamini Illeperuma and javelin thrower Pradeep Nishantha lighted the Olympic lamp while N.C.D. Priyadarshini gave the official Sports Oath. Lal Chandrakumara delivered the Oath of adjudicators.

Nearly 1200 athletes representing all the Provinces, including the North and East are participating in the Sports Festival.

Several ministers, parliamentarians, chief ministers of provinces and many other distinguished guests were present.-->