Bid Highlights
- A motivation to host a Commonwealth Games that is intrinsically linked with plans for the long term development of the District of Hambantota and the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
- All planned competition venues will be developed by 2016 allowing a comprehensive test event programme,including the 2016 South Asian Games.
- Special 'visa on arrival' arrangements will be in place during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
- A Government-led project, with a strong financial commitment, fully supported by Guarantees.
Stories
An island community of 20 Million people
Our Island has a population of 20 million people. This is almost the same population as Australia, with the big difference being, Sri Lanka is only 65,610 km2 compared to 7.7 million km2 for Australia - you could fit 117 Sri Lanka's into Australia!
Our large population and small land mass means that a great many people live within close proximity to Hambantota resulting in full and vibrant venues for the Games. The population is keen to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle and to participate and support many sports in the next decade in just the same way that they are fanatical about cricket.
Sri Lanka is an island with a big heart and big aspirations. As 'islanders' we have a strong sense of our own unique identity: of independence and of camaraderie with a 'can-do' approach to life. We look forward to welcoming the other 40 island CGAs in the Commonwealth and to sharing a 'once in a lifetime' experience with our fellow islanders from across the world.
