Arrangement are being made to conduct a grand ceremony for the 31st Mahaweli Games scheduled to be held in Embilipitiya on September 15 and 16 with some 300 cyclists lined up to carry the torch over a 10-day period.
Lanka Bandara Senaratne, Director Planning of the Mahaweli Authority, said that over 3000 athletes from all over the country will contest the Games.
Senaratne said the cycle parade will be flagged off at Torrington Square in Colombo on Thursday (September 6) and the riders will proceed and pass through Thambuttegama, Weli Oya, Medirigiriya, Welikande, Dambulla, Moragahakande, Digana, Dehiattakandiya, Maha Oya and Badulla before culminating their journey at the venue of the Games in Embilipitiya.
He said the distance covered will be over 1500 kilo metres and at each stop for the night a cultural and musical show will be held along with anti-drug awareness programs.
Sanoja Bibile, the Media coordinator and Public Relations Officer of the Mahaweli Authority said the run-up to the Games will be like no other witnessed in the past with a colourful opening ceremony on the cards.
She said a new concept at the Mahaweli Games will be the awarding of land deeds to event winners from gold to bronze.