13TH DEFENCE SERVICES GAMES CONCLUDED ON A HIGH NOTE
The 13th Defence Services Games 2025 concluded today (12 January 2026) with the closing ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Army Indoor Stadium, Panagoda. The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Army and marked the successful completion of a major sporting programme involving the tri-forces.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), who attended as the Chief Guest. The Defence Services Games, conducted in accordance with the annual sports plan recommended by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, is one of the largest multi-sport events for Armed Forces personnel in Sri Lanka, with participation from both male and female athletes.
The Games commenced on 12 September 2024 and concluded on 12 January 2026, featuring competitions across 39 sporting events. Approximately 4,000 athletes from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force took part, providing a platform to identify and develop sports talent within the tri-services. Selected athletes will undergo further training under the guidance of the Defence Services Sports Councils with the aim of integration into national sports squads. A considerable number of athletes currently serving in national youth squads originate from the tri-forces, reflecting the importance of the Defence Services Games in national sports development.
In line with the rules of the World Indoor Sports Federation, bonus points were awarded to athletes demonstrating proficiency in indoor sports, enabling eligibility for higher-level competitions, including the Olympic pathway.
At the conclusion of the Games, the Sri Lanka Army emerged as the overall champions, securing 30 Championships, while the Sri Lanka Air Force claimed 29 Championships, and the Sri Lanka Navy won 8 Championships.
Overall medal tally:
Sri Lanka Army: 157 Gold, 133 Silver and 106 Bronze medals
Sri Lanka Air Force: 99 Gold, 101 Silver and 104 Bronze medals
Sri Lanka Navy: 46 Gold, 66 Silver and 87 Bronze medals
The closing ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Damian Weerasinghe, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, Members of the Air Force Sports Council, along with tri-service senior officers and tri-service sportsmen and sportswomen.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), formally declared the Games closed. During the ceremony, the Defence Services Sports Council flag was ceremonially handed over to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking the commencement of preparations for the 2026 Defence Services Games.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), who attended as the Chief Guest. The Defence Services Games, conducted in accordance with the annual sports plan recommended by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, is one of the largest multi-sport events for Armed Forces personnel in Sri Lanka, with participation from both male and female athletes.
The Games commenced on 12 September 2024 and concluded on 12 January 2026, featuring competitions across 39 sporting events. Approximately 4,000 athletes from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force took part, providing a platform to identify and develop sports talent within the tri-services. Selected athletes will undergo further training under the guidance of the Defence Services Sports Councils with the aim of integration into national sports squads. A considerable number of athletes currently serving in national youth squads originate from the tri-forces, reflecting the importance of the Defence Services Games in national sports development.
In line with the rules of the World Indoor Sports Federation, bonus points were awarded to athletes demonstrating proficiency in indoor sports, enabling eligibility for higher-level competitions, including the Olympic pathway.
At the conclusion of the Games, the Sri Lanka Army emerged as the overall champions, securing 30 Championships, while the Sri Lanka Air Force claimed 29 Championships, and the Sri Lanka Navy won 8 Championships.
Overall medal tally:
Sri Lanka Army: 157 Gold, 133 Silver and 106 Bronze medals
Sri Lanka Air Force: 99 Gold, 101 Silver and 104 Bronze medals
Sri Lanka Navy: 46 Gold, 66 Silver and 87 Bronze medals
The closing ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Damian Weerasinghe, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, Members of the Air Force Sports Council, along with tri-service senior officers and tri-service sportsmen and sportswomen.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), formally declared the Games closed. During the ceremony, the Defence Services Sports Council flag was ceremonially handed over to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking the commencement of preparations for the 2026 Defence Services Games.