The University of Moratuwa emerged as Overall Champion for the first time in the Sri Lankan University Games (SLUG) at the XI SLUG 2013 gaining a rare opportunity as the host and the winner of the event with the most number of points [321.5].
UOM won nearly 10 championship namely in cricket, chess, carom, rowing, hockey, karate, rugby football , baseball, taekwondo, overall men championship
The awards were presented at the Awards Presentation ceremony organized elegantly by the University of Moratuwa to the winning teams by the distinguished invitees including the chief guest of the occasion Hon Minister of Higher Education S B Dissanayake , Mrs S B Dissanayake, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawarathna, Chairperson of University Grants Commission Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama, Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa Professor K K Y W Perera, Vice Chancellor Professor AnandaJayawardane, Director General, Sports and Talent Development Mr Sunil Gunawardhana and many other distinguished invitees.
The closing ceremony was held at the Moratuwa University grounds which started around 4 pm with the arrival of the Hon Minister of Education and Mrs S B Dissanayake to the venue.
The ten-day event which His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaska declared opened as the XI th Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG) at the University of Moratuwa on 2nd May 2013, ended on May 12th 2013 .
After 18 years since the University of Moratuwa first hosted SLUG in 1985, it was a privilege for the University of Moratuwa to host for the second time the SLUG 2013 with the participation of 14 national universities which marked its emergence as Overall Champion since the SLUG commenced in 1980.
The University of Moratuwa made all preparations for around 5200 students taking part in 22 sports and 35 events which were organized with the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and other stakeholders who worked tirelessly with great enthusiasm over the last months to make this event a success.
The events took place as scheduled at 26 sports venues both within and outside the premises of the University of Moratuwa.
The University Games concept which gave birth to present Sri Lanka University Games or simply known as SLUG commenced with only 13 sports and 20 events 23 years ago. Its maiden event was held at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka with the participation of six national universities, namely Colombo, Peradeniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kelaniya, Moratuwa and Jaffna. This University Sports Festival, since then, is organized once in three years and rotates among the national universities.
The University of Moratuwa, hosting the XI Sri Lanka University Games had a grand scale ceremonial opening as well as a closing ceremony which the large number of people including participants were pleased with. The opening ceremony began with the arrival of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa being ushered in a welcome procession to the venue, the grounds of the University of Moratuwa by the Hon Minister of Higher Education S B Dissanayake, and other distinguished persons including the Chancellor K K Y W Perera and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa Professor Ananda Jayawardane.
At the grand opening ceremony, the dancing troupe of National Youth Council, welcoming the distinguished guests with a traditional PujaDance led in the procession.
The President then unveiled a plaque to mark his arrival at the University of Moratuwa as the chief guest of XI Sri Lanka University Games.
Followed by the march of participating teams to the ground, the Games Banner, Logo and Mascot were launched. This was followed by the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the President and university flags by the respective Vice Chancellors of the participating universities.
Following the National Anthem, His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa was invited to declare open the XI Sri Lanka University Games officially.
Among the items that attracted the audience were a display of robot manipulated quad rotors flying the National Flag, the UOM Flag, the SLUSA Flag and the Sports Flag, and the robot lighting the Olympic Lamp. These quad rotors are marvelous creations of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, University of Moratuwa.
The ceremonial opening of the XI Sri Lanka University Games came to an end with two cultural shows presented by the Western Band of the Royal College, Colombo and the students of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Maha Vidyalaya, Homagama.
The XIth Sri Lanka University Games concluded on May 12, 2013 under the patronage of the Hon Minister of Higher Education S B Dissanayake at the University of Moratuwa.
Following the welcome speech by Chairman of the Organizing Committee and the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of MoratuwaProfessor Rahula Attalage and the address by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa Professor Ananda Jayawardane, the SLUSAparade began with the participation of all Universities.
Following awards presentation, Minister S B Dissanayake declared closure of the XI SLUG and the SLUSA Secretary General , Organizing Secretary and director of Physical Education Division of the University of Moratuwa Mr K R D C Rathnamudali delivered the Vote of Thanks.
The closing ceremony came to end with the Vice Chancellor University of Moratuwa handing the SLUSA flag to the SLUSA President Professor Sohan Wijesekera who then handed it to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna as the host of XII SLUG which will be held in 2016 and the fireworks display organized by the Physical Education Division of the University of Moratuwa.
Below is the summary of the performances in terms of overall points obtained by participated universities in all 22 sports and 35 events participated by both male and female students at the XI SLUG 2013:
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In the eyes of those everyone witnessed and participated, the XI SLUG 2013 was truly a success not only in the spirit of competition and good achievements but a sense and spirit of sportsmanship and togetherness, which are essentially two prime requirements for building a healthier and well being Sri Lankan society, and finally a fine venue for resemblance of education, intelligence and wisdom of the University communities which gathered to celebrate friendship encounters among themselves.
The praise[s] during and after the event were a clear proof of the success of the organization of the event, the credit of which goes principally to the dedicated staff of the University of Moratuwa who teamed up to achieve this success.