Annual Athletic Championship of the Security Forces in Kilinochchi held at the Central College grounds in Kilinochchi from 22nd to 26th March 2017 with the participation of 35 Battalions under the Command of Security Force Headquarters and represented 08 relay teams from the schools in the area.\r\n\r\nThe Athletic Championship was organized and conducted under the guidance of Commander Security Force Kilinochchi, Major General A. Kariyakarawana, USP ndc, followed by the vision of the Army sports \" to achieve professional excellence and contribute to the building of a peaceful and better Sri Lanka by inculcating sports practices among the members of the Army thus setting a national benchmark in discipline, leadership, esprit de corps with the Olympic spirits of friendship, mutual understanding solidarity and fair play\"\r\n\r\nIn his special message on the event, the Commander, Security Force - Kilinochchi, Major General A. Kariyakarawana, USP ndc noted that, \r\n\r\n\"It is indeed the victory achieved by the troops sacrificing their lives is a great honour and dignity not only for each and every soldier that is being served under Sri Lankan flag but also it was a good example for the many Armies in the globe. When we look into our future, it’s essential to deviate from the painful and unpleasant experiences embedded in our soldiers, in this effort we need to maintain peace among the various communities which I believe members of Army should be professionally competent enough to serve the nation with honour and dignity whilst upholding the reputation gained by the Army.\" \r\n\r\nMeanwhile, in his message by Brigadier DC Keppetiwalana, RSP ndu psc, General Officer Commanding – 66 Division states,\r\n\r\n “I am pleased to see the enthusiasm of all athletes in this endeavor whilst sincerely wishing all participants. Our aim also to promote and encourage sports activities among school children in rural areas to enhance the ongoing reconciliation effort of the government.\"\r\n\r\nThe Athletic Championship 2017 was organized and conducted with the intention of exposing hidden sporting talents of soldiers in order to expose those potential officers and other ranks to the national and international arena. Further, it’s appreciated the opportunity extended by inviting Government officials and intellectuals in the area and most importantly allowing school youths to participate and witness hence it facilitates many takeaways from the showcased of this event.\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt the excellent works in this nature would facilitate distance communities to open many avenues to re-establish ethnic harmony which is desperately needed in the effort of the nation\'s journey in achieving sustainable development through the genuine reconciliation process.\r\n\r\nMore than 300 athletes comprises with officers and men stationed in Kilinochichi, Paranthan, Poonakary and Akkarayan, areas have competed during the events. Those officers and other ranks were seen in their colorful sports attires representing three divisions including HQ element. Security Force Headquarters and Formation Headquarters were jointly paraded in front of the main pavilion to receive their proceedings of oaths to kicked off with field events. All the spectator galleries were seen thronged with sports fans amidst with encouragement competitions becomes extremely competitive with exciting moments. \r\n\r\nTowards end of the day’s event the chief guest awarded trophies and medals to the competitors who excelled in different fields of athletics during the meet and the overcalled championship secured by 57 Division while 65 Division became the runner up. \r\n\r\nThe amount of energy thrown into this event during past couple of month’s by respective Divisions today harvest tangible results through efforts of individuals and collective athletic teams while paid dividends to their home work according to the final performances appraisal results submitted by officials of the meet to the authorities.\r\n \r\nIn addition to the Track and Field events, physical training demonstrations and band displays together with cultural show followed by Buglers sounds the retreat in high elevation add glamour more vibrant and lively lowering of flags ceremony . \r\n
