Symbolic of the appreciation, the Commander presented a special memento to the Commonwealth Games achiever, Sergeant Chathuranga Lakmal of the Commando Regiment. He also mingled with a section of the attendees at the occasion including wheelchair-ridden sportsmen and exchanged views with them.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army, Major General Dampath Fernando, Chief of Staff, Major General Piyal Wickramaratne, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, Commander, Security Forces - West, Major General Sudath Perera, Chairman, Army Athletic Committee and Major General Anura Sudasinghe, Director General Army Sports were present at the occasion.

After an inspiring speech that spoke of the importance of sports and how it relates to one’s life, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Senanayake, the pioneer behind the notion of collecting them under one roof, underlined the challenges that are lying ahead in the field of sports in this decade and beyond and urged them to be ready to take on those challenges.

“I sincerely believe you all have the capacity and the determination to achieve landmark victories in the field of sports in the years to come since you also belong to the present day Army as its one third of the strength, groomed to win accolades in sports. At a time the Army is transforming itself to be a capacity-based one, your contribution is being closely observed since your duty were to bring home more and more medals and keep the reputation of the Army flying high. From our part, we will give the maximum support possible. You must note that the Army is spending millions of rupees for promotion of your sports talents every year,” the Commander reminded. Senior Officers, Sports men and Sports women participated in the programme that openly encouraged and stimulated budding Army personnel, engaged in sports.