The athletic events of the 49th National Sports Festival began today (29 ) at the open-air sports ground of the Dadalla District Sports Complex in Galle.

The final stage of the festival, featuring all men's and women's athletic events, is scheduled to take place from August 29 to 31.

This is the first time the final stage of the festival is being held at this venue.

The opening ceremony for the festival is set to be held under the patronage of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

He will be joined by Deputy Ministers Sugath Thilakaratne and Eranga Gunasekara.

The closing ceremony will be held on Sunday (31) with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasooriya as the chief guest.

Olympic athlete Tamara Saman Deepika and badminton player Niluka Karunaratne, both hailing from the Southern Province, are scheduled to light the traditional lamp.

The event is being organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Sports Development, under the guidance of Ministry Secretary A.H.M.U. Aruna Bandara and the Director General of the Department of Sports Development, V. Premachandiran. The country's top athletes, representing all provinces, are participating in the event.