2018 Commonwealth Games:

Sri Lanka bids to host the games

by Rohana JAYALAL

Sri Lanka is now preparing to bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota, Ministry of Sports sources said recently.

According to the Ministry, the Cabinet has already given its approval to the Sports Minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage to proceed with the initial measures that need to be taken in the bidding process. Sri Lanka has already submitted an 'Expression of Interest' which had to be done prior to the March 31, 2010 deadline to host the games in the tsunami devastated Southern city, which is undergoing large scale development.The government recently opened the new Hambantota harbour and is now in the process of building a second international airport here. A sports complex of international standard is currently under construction and the newly built international cricket stadium is a venue for the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2011.

The government has appointed an organising committee co-chaired by the Minister of Sports and Governor of the Central Bank to prepare the bid for the Commonwealth Games. The only other bidder to host the event is the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. The Commonwealth Games Federation will announce the winning bid in Basseterre, St Kitts on November 11.