President conveys greetings for the 20th Commonwealth Games

Saturday, 26 July 2014 06:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, has conveyed his warm greetings to the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Prince Tunku Imran for the 20th Commonwealth Games that got under in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. “These Games are a unique feature in the Commonwealth calendar, bringing together athletes from across its regions into one arena,” President Rajapaksa said in the message. “Aptly called the ‘Friendly Games’, they are a symbol of the camaraderie and unity among the diverse Commonwealth family,” he said.

President sends wishes to Sri Lankan team for 20th Commonwealth Games President Mahinda Rajapaksa has sent a message to the athletes representing Sri Lanka at the 20th Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow, Scotland. “All of you were selected through rigorous competition and hard-work to be included in the national team,” President Rajapaksa said. “You should be proud of this achievement, and consider it a distinct privilege and honour to represent your country at such a widely celebrated event.” There are 156 athletes from various parts of the country representing Sri Lanka in Glasgow in a number of different events. The President, in his message, spoke to the athletes about the role they can play in promoting harmony within the country as well. “Sports has always played a significant and unifying role in Sri Lanka, particularly in the post conflict environment of the country, bringing together sportsmen and women and their supporters from across the Island in a spirit of harmony,” President Rajapaksa said. In the message to the Sri Lankan athletes, President Rajapaksa reminded them that it is not about winning or losing but it is the spirit in which they perform at the Games that is most important.

While conveying his best wishes to all the teams participating in the Games, the President also pointed out that athletes who excel at the Commonwealth Games often go on to distinguish themselves on a wider international platform such as the Olympics. In the message to Prince Imran, President Rajapaksa also commented on the significance of sports as a healer. “The Games also stand out in their significance to the people of the Commonwealth due to the importance of sports as a healer,” the President said. “We, in Sri Lanka, are particularly cognisant of this aspect of the Games, as sports continue to play a crucial role in fostering reconciliation and unity amongst the people, with the country having recently emerged from the shackles of terrorism.”