Glasgow 2014: Sri Lanka visit to promote games

COMMONWEALTH Minister Shona Robison is travelling to Sri Lanka to showcase Scotland to the Commonwealth ahead of the Games next year.

An artist's impression of the Glasgow 2014 opening ceremony at Celtic Park. Picture: Contributed

She will attend the Commonwealth Business Forum to outline preparations for Glasgow 2014 and carry out a range of engagements which aim to strengthen economic and social ties between Scotland and the Commonwealth.

Her visit comes almost exactly six years since the announcement in Sri Lanka that Glasgow would host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

‘Milestone’

She said: “The Commonwealth Games is the biggest sporting and cultural event Scotland has ever hosted and the conference in Sri Lanka is an extremely important milestone on the journey to Glasgow 2014.

“A third of the world’s population lives in the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth Business Forum is a great platform to talk up Scotland - our business strengths, our preparations for Glasgow 2014 and our ambition to make this the greatest Games ever.

“I will also take the chance to see Scottish projects that are improving the lives of Sri Lankans and giving Scotland a reputation as a good global citizen.”

Breakfast

During her visit she will address the Commonwealth Games Federation Sports Breakfast alongside HRH Prince Imran Tunku, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation;

Her programme also includes taking part in a live link-up between Sri Lankan students and pupils at St Joseph’s Academy, East Ayrshire, who are working on a joint curriculum project on the Commonwealth, and meeting the Sri Lanka Commonwealth Games Association and Sri Lankan athletes hoping to take part in Glasgow 2014.