The Athletic championship of the fifth Annual Defence Services Games got under way yesterday with an eye catching opening ceremony at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, attended the ceremony as the chef Guest along with over 2500 solders and officials from the three forces.

The two-day Athletic Championship, which will commence today at the Sugathadasa with the 5000 Metre event, will feature over 1500 athletics representing the three forces. Eleven different athletic events have been schedule for the first day of the championships.

The yesterday’s opening ceremony got under way with Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, who is also the President of the Defense Services Sports Board, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Guonetileke and Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya welcoming the chef guest.

The opening ceremony included some eye catching activities, including a cultural pageant and a band that was on display. There was also a show by parachute jumpers.

This years Defence Services Sports festival is organised by the Sri Lanka Navy on behalf of the Defence Services Sports board and they will conduct 22 Athletic events in the two day championship.

The organizers of the championships have already conducted 25 sports along with rugby, basketball and badminton and Sri Lanka Navy have stole the limelight topping the overall points tally with ten points. Sri Lanka Air Force is placed second with eight points while Sri Lanka Army is in third place with seven points.