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Hambantota 2018 Unveils Commonwealth Games Bid Emblem

Hambantota 2018 unveiled its Commonwealth Games bid emblem in a ceremony Monday which the bid committee says is typical of the nation’s “vibrant culture and passion for sport”.

The design features eight pairs of hands in the colours of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Each pair of hands is pressed together, palms together, and fingers pointed outwards, symbolizing Anjali Mudra, the hand gesture practiced throughout Asia and the continent’s eight Commonwealth members. It has the same meaning as the customary spoken Sanskrit greeting Namaste.

The design also depicts the senior Ayubowan gesture, a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality. The bid strap line is “Together, From the Heart”.

His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, “this launch of Hambantota’s 2018 Commonwealth Games emblem signifies the rapid progress of Sri Lanka is making since the tsunami and the end of terrorism. We are moving forward together as one nation and look forward to the opportunity of welcoming our friends throughout the Commonwealth to Sri Lanka and Hambantota in 2018. Our bid for the 2018 Games is also an important message to everyone in the country that we are an ambitious nation, growing rapidly in economic and social development”.

Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee Co-Chairman and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, added, “we are an island nation with a big heart and big aspirations. We are taking very seriously our responsibility as a CGF Candidate City in bidding for the honour of hosting the 2018 Games. This is a welcoming and celebratory emblem that embodies our bid. It is not just an emblem but a promise we keep both to the CGF and visitors to our country. Hospitality is second nature to us and together as a nation, we will continue to extend the hand of friendship to all”.

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