2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota?

10 August 2011 05:49 am

Sri Lankan traditional Kandyan dancers perform last evening, before a delegation of African countries from the Commonwealth Group of nations. The African delegation were visiting Sri Lanka to evaluate the island's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the southern town of Hambantota. Sri Lanka, which is up against Australia's Gold Coast city, plans to spend $4 billion to build new venues and infrastructure to host the event that features up to 17 sports for athletes from 71 countries of former British colonies. Sri Lanka, which is emerging from decades of ethnic conflict amidst allegation of war crimes, hopes to use the games as a platform to attract investments to the $50 billion economy.  Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana