The President said that as promised, sports complexes are coming up in every Province based on the 'Mahinda Chinthana Forward Vision' where it states that at least one fully-fledged sports complex will be established in each Province with modern facilities to provide opportunities for rural sportsmen and women to improve their talents and sports skills. This new sports complex is a tremendous boost for sportsmen and women in Uva Province. Therefore even budding athletes in Badulla and Moneragala Districts need not travel to Kandy, Colombo or Hambantota any more as they have a modern stadium in their own province.

President Rajapaksa also said that the present government never does anything for political gain or to attract votes. Everything is done to a proper plan, a set target and with a result oriented vision. The ultimate objective of all government development projects is to provide a better living condition for the masses. It is also the aim of the government to liberate the future generation entirely from drug usage. The president has reiterated that at the same time, the path of the government could never be changed through false propaganda as long as the prevalence of a grateful general public.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said the President has instructed to built similar sports complexes in all other provinces. Similarly, the next level sports complex will be built at each district so that the district level athletes could enjoy the best of facilities in the main town of their district enabling sportsmen and women in the remote areas to continue their training in the same province, without having to travel to Colombo for modern facilities. .

A group including many Ministers, Parliamentarians, local politicians and officials joined in the occasion. The President and the guests also witnessed the first soccer match played at the Football Stadium. A large crowd gathered at the sports complex and the President did not forget to approach them and exchange pleasantries. The President also made inquiries into more development projects that have been launched in the area.

Pix by: Chandana Perera