H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka and Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, through video conferencing from New Delhi, jointly inaugurated the newly renovated Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna on June 18, 2016. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Shri Y.K. Sinha was also present at the venue.

The other Sri Lankan dignitaries present in Jaffna included Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, Hon. Reginald Cooray, Governor of Northern Province, Hon. Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of Northern Province, Hon. Ms. Wijayakala Maheshwaran, State Minister of Child Affairs, Hon. V.S. Radhakrishnan  State Minister of Education, Hon. Maheepala Herath, Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa Province, various Hon. Members of Parliament, Hon. Provincial Sports Ministers and Hon. Members of the Northern Provincial Council.

In New Delhi, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor, Shri Nripendra Misra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary and other senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs were present along with the Prime Minister of India. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, H.E. Esala Werakoon, was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, stated that India’s strong relations with Sri Lanka has helped the latter get international support. He added that he will continue cooperation with India. President Sirisena 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.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, began his address by recalling 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.  

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 Lankna 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 organised 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.