12th Defence Services Games ceremonially opened
October 20, 2022- Defence Secretary declares open the biggest sports festival of Sri Lankan armed forces
The 12th Defence Services Games 2022/2023 was ceremonially declared open by the Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne at the Indoor Sports Stadium of Panagoda Army Cantonment yesterday (Oct 19).
The glittering ceremony commenced with the arrival of the chief guest Defence Secretary Gen. Gunaratne last evening.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Shavendra Silva, tri forces commanders, senior tri forces officers and a large number of sportsmen and sportswomen representing the tri forces were present in their numbers at the colouful ceremony.
The Sri Lanka Air Force is organizing the 12th Defence Services Games.
Prior to the commencement of the ceremony a two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the fallen war heroes.
This was followed by the March -in by officials and participants together with the mascot. The opening ceremony was held in keeping with military traditions.
Chairman of the organizing committee Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardana made the welcome address.
With the eager sportsmen and women filling the floor with high hopes of achieving victory in their chosen disciplines, the chief guest made the official declaration of the commencement of the Defence Services Games.
Subsequently all participants and officials took the official oath of the games before marching out of the stadium with the military band playing in the background.
Two male and a female athlete representing the tri forces made the run and lit the Olympic torch which will burn till the end of the games.
The Games will see 600 sportsmen and women of the Army, Navy and Air Force compete for supremacy in 39 sporting disciplines.
