Sri Lanka Navy hosted the 8th edition of the country’s premier defence sporting event, the Defence Services Games (DSG) which ended on November 5 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, under the direction of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, who is the President of the Defence Services Sports Board.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Jagath Jayasooriya graced the occasion as the chief guest. Commander of the Army and Vice President of the Defence Services Sports Board, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Air Force and Vice President of the Defence Services Sports Board Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke, and senior officers of the tri-services were also present at the occasion.
The Defence Services Games are held every two years, in conformity with Olympic Games standards, enabling tri-services personnel to showcase their sporting talents at a higher level. The event paves the way for them to compete in the true spirit of sportsmanship, promoting camaraderie and friendship. It enhances relations among the three sister services and helps forge new bonds, connecting like-minded personnel on a common platform. The games have grown in stature over the years, adding more sports disciplines to the competition. Competitions in 36 sports disciplines commenced on September 6, 2013 with the keen participation of sportsmen and women representing the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
Proving their sporting prowess, Sri Lanka Navy emerged champions clinching championship trophies in 17 sports disciplines and 13 runners-up trophies in closely contested events at the 8th edition of the Games. Flying the Navy flag high and showing her talents in spectacular performances, the Navy secured the highest number of medals, including 107 gold medals, 86 silver medals and 99 bronze medals.
The chief guest and the tri-services Commanders gave away the prizes to the winners of the games, which were conducted spanning six months with the participation of over 7,000 sports personnel from the three services.
The next edition of the Defence Games will be hosted by the Sri Lanka Air Force in 2016. Symbolizing the event, the DSG Flag was ceremonially handed over to the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunathileke by the Commander of the Navy, at the conclusion of the final ceremony.
