New sports complex for the Army [January 24 2014]

Sri Lanka Army plans to build a full-fledged sports complex at an estimated cost of Rs.1.7 billion at Panagoda where all sportsmen and women of the Army will be able to undergo extensive training with most modern technical assistance. This was revealed by Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Rathnayake at the recently held press conference to announce the Armys Colours night which will be held tomorrow (25) at the BMICH.

Though Army sportsmen and women have won large number of medals and significant places in various sports fields in the past, their trainings were carried out with limited facilities for many years. “This sports facility is built to overcome this and Army will be able to revitalize the field of sports to be on par with national and international standards,”said the Army Commander.

Army sports personnel have won 14 gold, 25 silver and 14 bronze medals at different international tournaments and sporting events in 2013. A total of 298 Army sportsmen and women took part in international events in 2013.

The annual Army Colours Night which will be held tomorrow will award 739 Army sports personnel with 399 Colours, 337 Excellent Colours and 3 Special Excellent Colours for their exceptional performances last year.

Disable army personnel who have excelled in athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, cycling, volley ball, shooting, wheelchair marathon, wheelchair badminton, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, weight-lifting and body building will also be awarded Colours and monetary awards at the ceremony.