With less than ten months to go for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the Queen’s Baton relay will pass through Sri Lanka after a two-day visit starting on Saturday.
The Queen’sBaton relay is on an epic journey through the 71 members of the Commonwealth, across all continents.
The baton which embodies Glasgow and Scotland’s culture, history and innovation in its design and construction includes the Queen’s message for the Games.
The baton will arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport at 1.30 p.m. from Pakistan will be taken to Colombo on a special motorcade. A function will be held at 4.30 p.m. at the Independence Square where a group of 20 children will take the baton and run around the Independence Square before taking it to the West Ministers House, the residence of the British High Commissioner for a special reception where a special first day cover and four specialized postage stamps will be issued to mark the occasion.
The baton will then make its journey to Kandy in a special steam train next day morning. There the baton and the delegates will be exposed to Sri Lankan culture, tradition and the hospitality. Along the way, the baton will stop at Veyangoda, Polgahawela, Rambukkana and Kandugannawa railyway stations where special receptions will be hosted by communities and will also make a visit to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
In Kandy the baton will be welcomed by the Chief Minister of the province before a run will take place covering the city. Navy will take the baton and circle the lake area by boat before the journey culminating at the historic Dalada Maligawa with a religious ceremony.
“We have made all arrangements to celebrate the arrival of the Queen’s Baton,” said Maxwell de Silva, General Secretary National Olympic Committee (NOC).
“We want to make it a unique experience for those visiting delegates and give them a positive impression of the country,” he added.
