The event was held under the patronage of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne and Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinidu Saman Hennayake, with the participation of Chairman and Director General of the National Youth Services Council, Attorney-at-Law Supun Wijeratne.
Young sportsmen and sportswomen representing all provinces are taking part in the festival, which follows regional and district-level competitions held earlier. Athletics events are scheduled for tomorrow (20), while arrangements have been made to hold the closing ceremony on the day after tomorrow (21).
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Minister Dinidu Saman Hennayake said that Sri Lanka’s strongest voluntary youth movement—the Youth Clubs—would play a key role in rebuilding the country in the aftermath of recent disasters. He said he had taken on the responsibility of nation-building together with the youth, adding that the collectivity, solidarity and activism fostered through sports would significantly contribute to this effort.
Speaking on the occasion, Supun Wijeratne quoted renowned tennis player Serena Williams, noting that talent is not about winning every match, but about how quickly one rises after a fall. He said the decision to hold the National Youth Sports Fest 2025 was part of Sri Lanka’s broader effort to recover from recent challenges and move forward as a nation.
A large number of participants, including Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipunarachchi, Secretary of the National Youth Social Federation Mithina Gihan Priyasad, officials of the National Youth Services Council, Youth Social Federation representatives, athletes and youth, were present at the opening ceremony.
