Sri Lanka, Oct. 8 -- The swimming pool at the Mannar District Sports Complex was officially opened to athletes last Friday under the patronage of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said he had visited Mannar in January this year to identify the sporting needs of children in the area, and promised to establish the sports complex within a year.Today, we are fulfilling that promise," he said.

The Minister added that previous governments had paid limited attention to the development of the Northern and Eastern provinces, but the present administration was giving priority to these regions.

He further said that the 400-metre running track and other facilities of the complex will also...