Commonwealth Games in New Delhi:

Sri Lankans happy with preparations

Chinthana Wasala

The Chef De Mission for the Sri Lankan contingent to the 19th Commonwealth Games which starts in a few more days in New Delhi, India, Wing Commander Chandana Liyanage stated that the Lankan officials are happy with the preparations for the games.

“There are four floors allocated for the Sri Lankan athletes and officials and the rooms are in good condition. The Sri Lankans will not have any problem regarding their stay and we are fully satisfied with the conditions in the games village and the venues” added Chandana who returned after a brief visit to the games village.

Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Weight lifter Chinthana Vidanage, will lead the Sri Lankan contingent which comprise of 78 male and 18 female athletes who will compete against 72 countries at the 12-day sports extravaganza.

The New Delhi games will feature a cultural extravaganza named as “Delhi Celebrates” which will bring singers, musicians, theatre personalities, well-known chefs, artisans, poets and litterateurs to spread the Indian type of cultural message all over the world.

The series of shows will also feature foreign artistes including Maestro Chitrasena and a group from Sri Lanka and will be held at Dilli Haat, Pitampura. They will be present at the festival at the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and will perform on October 8 and 9, strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and India. The cultural festival will also feature a film festival, a photographic exhibition, culinary festival and many more.

The sporting venues for the Commonwealth Games are ready and the hosting of Games has provided Delhi the opportunity to have world class sports facilities and the infrastructure development putting Delhi on par with the best capitals in the World.

The projects included the new Terminal-3 International Airport and the massive metro network connecting Delhi with suburbs and centre of Delhi with the Airport.

According to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, the Government of India has taken the best of efforts to strengthen security throughout the period that the games are being held.

The Indian High Commissioner Ashok K Kanth will meet with the officials of the Sri Lanka Sports Ministry, the office-bearers of the Sporting Federations and the Sports persons along with the Commonwealth Games contingent before the departure of the Sri Lankan contingent to the Commonwealth Games at the Olympic House today.