The closing ceremony and presentation of awards to the winners of the Defence Services Games 2012 took place Wednesday (5) evening at Sugathadasa Stadium Colombo with President’s Secretary Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The final ceremony had all the hallmarks of a cultural pageant and a show of sports talents as musical bands and dancers of tri-services lined up after the final athletic events came to an end. As the theme song rent the air, displays of parachute drops commenced to be simultaneous with the marching in of the parade.

Taekwondo and Physical Training Drills, Cultural Performances and Sounding of Drums added entertainment and variety to the flow of the day’s sequence of events.  

Presentation of awards, which was the apex of the whole event which started as a tournament, back in May this year, commenced afterwards as distinguished invitees joined the main stage. Multi-coloured tri-service bands and parades attracted the attention of the audience and entertained the gathering.     

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya awarded the trophies and shields to the winners of Kabaddi, Karate, Netball, Rugby, Soccer, Shooting and Squash.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetillake and Commanders of the Navy and Air Force also joined for distribution of awards.

As the tri forces bands rent the air with the National Anthem, the Defence Services Games - 2012 drew to a close.

The Chief Guest was warmly welcomed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetillake on arrival.

The closing ceremony started rolling with an elegant dance performed by the dancers of all tri-services, followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Chief Guest, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff and Commanders of Army and Navy.

Chairman, Defence Services Games Committee delivered the welcome address.

Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket, Kabaddi, Karate, Parachuting, Sailing, Rugby, Football, Swimming, Squash, Table Tennis, Water Games, Weight Lifting, Gymnastics, Wushu and several other events saw the best of more than 1000 servicemen and women competing for supremacy in the tournament.