His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri LankaÌýMahindaÌýRajapaskaÌýdeclared opened the XIÌýthÌýÌýSri Lanka University Games (SLUG) at the University ofÌýMoratuwaÌýonÌý2ndÌýMay 2013.
After 18 years, the University ofÌýMoratuwaÌýis privileged to host the SLUG 2013 Ìýwith the participation of 14 national universities for the second time since inception of SLUG in 1980. The University ofÌýMoratuwaÌýfirst hosted SLUG in 1985. Ìý
The University ofÌýMoratuwaÌýhad made all preparations for around 5200 students taking part in 22 sports and 35 events which are organized with the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and other stakeholders who have been working tirelessly with great enthusiasm over the last months to make this event a success.
[Despite rains,] the events are taking place Ìýas scheduled at 26 sports venues both within and outside the premises of the University ofÌýMoratuwa. ÌýÌý
The University Games concept which gave birth to present Sri Lanka University Games or simply known as SLUG commenced with only 13Ìý sports and 20 events 23 years ago. Its maiden event was held at the University ofÌýPeradeniya, Sri Lanka with the participation of six national universities, namely Colombo,ÌýPeradeniya, SriÌýJayewardenepura,ÌýKelaniya,ÌýMoratuwaÌýandÌýJaffna. This University Sports Festival, since then, is organized once in three years and rotates among the national universities. ÌýÌýÌýÌý
The University ofÌýMoratuwa, the host of the XIÌýthÌýSri Lanka University Games had planned a grand scale ceremonial opening. The event began with the arrival of His Excellency the PresidentÌýMahindaÌýRajapaksaÌýbeing ushered in a welcome procession to the venue, the grounds of the University ofÌýMoratuwaÌýby the Hon Minister of Higher Education S BÌýDissanayake, and other distinguished persons including the Vice Chancellor of the University ofÌýMoratuwaÌýProfessorÌýAnandaÌýJayawardane.
ÌýThe dancing troupe of National Youth Council, welcoming the distinguished guests with a traditionalÌýPujaÌýDance led in the procession.
The President then unveiled a plaque to mark his arrival at the ÌýUniversity ofÌýMoratuwaÌýas the chief guest of XIÌýthÌýSri Lanka University Games.
Followed by the march of participating teams to the ground, the Games Banner, Logo and Mascot were launched. This was followed by the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the President and university flags by the respective Vice Chancellors of the participating universities.Ìý
After the National Anthem was played, the PresidentÌýMahindaÌýRajapaksaÌýwas invited to declare open the XIÌýthÌýSri Lanka University Games officially.Ìý
Among the items that attracted the audience were a display of robot manipulated quad rotors flying the National Flag, theÌýUOMÌýFlag, theÌýSLUSAÌýFlag and the Sports Flag, and the robot lighting the Olympic Lamp. These quad rotors are Ìýmarvelous Ìýcreations of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, University ofÌýMoratuwa.
The ceremonial opening of the XIÌýthÌýSri Lanka University Games came to an end with two cultural shows presented by the Western Band of the Royal College, Colombo and the students of theÌýMahindaÌýRajapaksaÌýMahaÌýVidyalaya,ÌýHomagama. ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
The XIÌýthÌýSri Lanka University Games will conclude on May 12, 2013 under the patronage of the Hon Minister of Higher Education S BÌýDissanayakeÌýat the University ofÌýMoratuwa.
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