President Maithripala Sirisena, and Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India inaugurated the newly renovated Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna yesterday (18th June) joining through a video conference.
Speaking on the occasion the President Maithripala Sirisena commended India for its strong relations with Sri Lanka and help given to gain international support. President pledged to continue cooperation with India. He described the renovated Duraiappah stadium as a symbol of reconciliation, symbolic of turning away from a past of violence. He thanked Government of India for its development assistance to Sri Lanka and pledged to deepen ties with India.
Prime Minister Modi addressing the gathering via video conference from India recalled his visit to Jaffna, the first by an Indian Prime Minister. He stated that the Duraiappah Stadium is not just brick and mortar but a symbol of optimism and economic development. “Its successful completion is a signal that Sri Lanka has left the past behind and is now looking to the promise of a prosperous future,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi lauded the performance of 'Surya Namaskar’, as part of International Day of Yoga celebrations, by almost 11000 school children. He said that the Yoga demonstration just performed has sent the message of holistic healthcare, harmonious and sustainable living with nature to the world.
He reiterated India’s commitment to walk side by side with Sri Lanka as it charts its own path to progress and prosperity for all of its citizens.
The Stadium, named in honour of former Mayor of Jaffna, the Late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, has been renovated by the Government of India at a cost of Sri Lankan Rs.145 million.
The renovated Stadium will benefit about 50,000 students from different schools and educational institutions in the Northern Province by providing modern infrastructure for sports and recreational activities. It will also encourage the overall development of youth of the Northern Province and in Sri Lanka at large. This project is part of the highly successful development partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
On 11 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution piloted by India declaring June 21 each year as the “International Day of Yoga”. The resolution was supported by more than 170 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of the first co-sponsors of the Resolution.
The International Day of Yoga 2016 is being celebrated across the Island with great enthusiasm. The mega yoga event at Duraiappah Stadium was the first in a series of events being organized by High Commission of India in Colombo, and by the Assistant High Commission in Kandy and the Consulate General of India in Hambantota, throughout this week.
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Shri Y.K. Sinha, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, Reginald Cooray, Governor of Northern Province, Wijayakala Maheshwaran, State Minister of Child Affairs, V.S. Radhakrishnan State Minister of Education, Maheepala Herath, Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa Province, and C.V. Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of Northern Province were also present.
In New Delhi, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Esala Werakoon, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor, Shri Nripendra Misra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary, were present along with the Prime Minister of India.