The 9th Defence Services Games was ceremonially declared open by the State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardane MP this evening at the newly constructed Indoor stadium at Panagoda Army Cantonment.

The sportsmen and women of the Army Navy and Air Force compete for supremacy in thirty seven (37) sporting disciplines from March 2016 to August 2016. This year the 9th DSG is hosted by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi,Present Chairman of Defence Service Sports Council and Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishantha De Silva and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunarathne graced the occasion.

The Games opening included a band display, dance performance by tri - services bands and a march past of the sportsman and women of the respective sporting disciplines representing the three services.