The 49th National Sports Festival, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports along with the Department of Sports Development, commenced today (15) at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course with the National Cross-Country Race. This year’s festival features 33 sporting events.
The event was graced by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne, and key officials from the Department of Sports Development, the Institute of Sports Science, the Sports Medical Institute, and the Anti-Doping Agency.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Gamage emphasized the government’s commitment to producing top-tier athletes across all disciplines to represent Sri Lanka internationally. He also highlighted the ministry’s mission to foster a disciplined and progressive sports culture that contributes to national development.
The Minister further stated that sports play a crucial role in creating a healthier and stronger youth population while helping combat the growing issue of drug abuse in the country. He wished all participating athletes success, reiterating that participation is more valuable than victory. He also announced that Sri Lanka is set to host several international sports competitions in the near future.
This year’s National Cross-Country Race saw an increased number of participants compared to previous years, with 88 male athletes (10 from each province) and 50 female athletes (6 from each province) competing.
National Cross-Country Race Results
Women’s 10km
🥇 Methmi Wijesooriya (Eastern Province/Ampara District) – 38:40:93 – Undergraduate, University of Kelaniya
🥈 Chamini Herath (Central Province/Kandy District)—Sri Lanka Army
🥉 Vatsala Herath (Central Province/Kandy District)—Sri Lanka Army
Men’s 10km
🥇 M. Sivaharan (Central Province/Nuwara Eliya District) – 34:20:31 – Sri Lanka Air Force
🥈 R. M. S. Pushpakumara (Western Province/Gampaha District)—Sri Lanka Army
🥉 R. A. D. H. Kumara (Western Province/Gampaha District)—Sri Lanka Police
