Colombo, 23 June 2026 – The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) proudly commemorated Olympic Day 2026 today, 23rd June 2026, at Independence Square, Colombo, bringing together the sporting community in a vibrant celebration of sport, unity, and the Olympic values.

 

Observed annually across the globe, Olympic Day marks the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 23 June 1894, which paved the way for the revival of the modern Olympic Games. Since its inception in 1948, Olympic Day has evolved into a worldwide celebration promoting participation in sport, physical activity, and the enduring values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

 

This year's global campaign, themed "Let's Move 2026", carries the empowering message, "You Can Do This!", encouraging individuals, particularly young people, to take their first step towards an active lifestyle. The campaign emphasizes that feelings of uncertainty or self-doubt are natural, but should never prevent anyone from embracing sport and movement.

 

Schoolchildren representing seven schools also participated enthusiastically in the Olympic Day celebrations, reflecting the event's strong emphasis on youth engagement and the promotion of active lifestyles among future generations. The participating schools were Weluwana Madyamaha Vidyalaya, Anuruddha Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Yasodara Balika Vidyalaya, St. Joseph's Boys' College, Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya, and Ashoka Maha Vidyalaya.

 

NOC Sri Lanka organised this year's celebrations at Independence Square with a symbolic Olympic Day Walk followed by an official ceremony. Approximately 500 participants, including athletes, sports officials, dignitaries, stakeholders, and members of the sporting fraternity, took part in the celebrations.

 

Adding significance to the occasion, several Sri Lankan Olympians participated in the Olympic Day Walk and proudly carried the Olympic Torch. These included the only living Sri Lankan Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe OLY, Niluka Karunaratne OLY, Chamara Dharmawardana OLY, Kyle Abeysinghe OLY, and Viren Nettasinghe OLY.

 

The event was graced by Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, as the Chief Guest. The Guests of Honour were His Worship Hemantha Weerakoon, Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council, and His Excellency Kamoshida Naoaki, Acting Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka.

The celebrations were led by President of NOC Sri Lanka Mr. Asanga Seneviratne and Secretary General of NOC Sri Lanka Mr. Rifdy Fahmy, together with members of the NOC Sri Lanka Executive Board.

 

Also in attendance were members of NOC Sri Lanka sub-committees, representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Colombo Municipal Council, Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, Institute of Sports Medicine and other key stakeholders from Sri Lanka's sporting community. Mr. Asanka de Mel, Founder and CEO of LOVI Ceylon, the official opening ceremony clothing sponsor for Team Sri Lanka at the LA 2028 Olympic Games, the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, and other major international multi-sport events was also in attendance.

 

As Olympic Day 2026 demonstrated, sport remains a powerful force that unites people, inspires confidence, and creates healthier and stronger communities. 

 

Happy Olympic Day! Let's Move Together.

 

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