The opening of the Vavuniya District Sports Complex was held yesterday (12) in Omantha. The sports complex was handed over to the athletes yesterday under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne. Member of Parliament Dr. Thilakananda, the Vavuniya District Secretary and other officials also participated in the event.
Participating in the event, Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne said that the development of sports in a country directly affects the development of qualities such as good health, human values, and collectivism of the people living in that country. Therefore, the Deputy Minister said that the current government will pay due attention to the development of sports in the country and make the necessary interventions.
The sports complex, which includes a swimming pool, an indoor sports complex, and a 400 m running track, is expected to be a valuable asset for athletes in the Northern Province, the Deputy Minister of Sports said while addressing the athletes.
Speaking while recalling Nagalingam Ediriweerasingham, the first Sri Lankan athlete to represent the country in the high jump event, who represented the Asian Games three times in 1958 and 1962, and the Olympic Games in 1952 and 1956, the Deputy Minister of Sports said that it is the responsibility of the current government to pave the way for the children of the Northern Province to achieve such achievements and bring glory to the country, and it is the responsibility of coaches and school teachers to encourage the athletes to do so.
The Deputy Minister of Sports further expressed his hope that the athletes will strive to perform excellently at the National Games in 2025 and that he expects them to make the most of this sports complex and bring victories in the future.
Sinhala 
English