Among the other dignitaries who are expected to attend the closing ceremony are the Chief Minister of the Northern Province C. V. Vigneswaran, Governor of the Northern Province Reginold Cooray and Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera. However, the participation of Vigneswaran for the closing ceremony is once again doubtful as he kept away from attending the opening ceremony as well on Thursday. Speculations are mounting whether the Chief Minister had actually boycotted the National Sports Festival opening ceremony although he is scheduled to address the gathering during today’s closing ceremony. 145 million under the Indo-Sri Lanka Friendship Agreement, has come under severe criticism although the third day of the Festival produced two Sri Lanka records. Another low key factor is the less turnaround of spectators to the venues which are been packed with Sports Ministry officials and competitors.

Source: Sunday Times October 01, 2016 19:40 UTC