Colombo marks International Day of Military Sports 2026 with CISM Run for Peace

COLOMBO (SRI LANKA) – The spirit of unity, camaraderie and physical readiness was on full display in Sri Lanka as the armed forces celebrated the International Day of Military Sports 2026 with a vibrant Run for Peace held in the heart of Colombo on 7 March 2026.

The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Navy under the Defence Services Sports Board (DSSB) and brought together approximately 300 participants, including military personnel, sports enthusiasts and veterans. The run was conducted under the patronage of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, who attended the event as the Chief Guest, reaffirming the importance of sport as a tool for unity and peace among armed forces.

The initiative was steered by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and President of the Defence Services Sports Board, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, whose leadership helped coordinate the large-scale activity in the Sri Lankan capital. The event also saw the participation of the Chiefs of Staff of the Navy and Air Force, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando and Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, along with officers, other ranks and a group of wheelchair-bound veterans, whose presence added a strong symbolic dimension to the celebration.

The run began at the Colombo Lighthouse, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and followed a scenic route of more than two kilometres, passing through the Galle Face Roundabout before returning to the starting point along the coastal promenade. Participants ran side by side in a festive and energetic atmosphere, reflecting the shared values of discipline, teamwork and mutual respect that define military sport.

Held under the CISM motto “Friendship through Sport,” the event formed part of the worldwide celebrations of the International Day of Military Sports, commemorated annually by CISM member nations around 18 February, the date marking the organization’s foundation in 1948 in Nice, France.

Today, the International Military Sports Council (CISM) is one of the largest multidisciplinary sports organizations in the world, representing the armed forces of over 140 member nations and organizing a wide range of international competitions and activities designed to strengthen cooperation and friendship among military personnel across the globe.

Through initiatives such as the Run for Peace in Colombo, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces once again demonstrated their commitment to the ideals of peace, solidarity and international friendship, reinforcing the role of sport as a powerful platform for bringing people together beyond borders.

Across the world, similar activities were organized by CISM member nations in celebration of the International Day of Military Sports 2026, highlighting the universal values of military sport and the enduring message that sport can serve as a bridge between nations.

(Source: Sri Lanka Delegation to CISM)