BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
The inaugural SLT-MOBITEL Games 2026 officially got underway on June 20 with the successful staging of the SLT-MOBITEL Athletics Championships 2026 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, marking the beginning of one of the organisation’s largest employee engagement initiatives.
Designed to foster unity, teamwork, and a culture of healthy competition, the SLT-MOBITEL Games bring together employees from across the SLT and Mobitel Group under the shared vision of strengthening collaboration while promoting health, wellbeing, and sporting excellence.
The opening ceremony featured a colourful programme that included the ceremonial hoisting of the Games flag, welcome addresses by senior management, the symbolic release of balloons, and the lighting of the Olympic Lamp, officially declaring the Games open.
Following the ceremonial proceedings, employees competed in a full schedule of track and field events, showcasing impressive athletic talent, determination, and sportsmanship. The day concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding performances across the various disciplines.
The Athletics Championships represent the first chapter of the SLT-MOBITEL Games 2026, with a diverse range of sporting competitions scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. Employees will compete in badminton, cricket, football, swimming, volleyball, chess, carrom, and netball as part of the organisation’s comprehensive sports calendar.
Beyond competition, the initiative has been designed to cultivate teamwork, discipline, resilience, leadership, and employee wellbeing while strengthening relationships across departments and business units.
The championships were successfully organised by the SLT-MOBITEL Sports Council 2026/27, comprising representatives from both SLT and Mobitel, whose collaborative efforts ensured the smooth execution of the opening event. The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting employee participation in sport and supporting the continued development of sports associations across the Group.
Reinforcing its people-first philosophy, SLT-MOBITEL emphasized that its employees remain the organisation’s greatest asset. Through the SLT-MOBITEL Games 2026, the company aims to unite colleagues from diverse teams and backgrounds under the shared identity of “One Family”, celebrating the power of sport to inspire teamwork, strengthen relationships, and build a vibrant, high-performing workforce.
The successful launch of the Games signals the beginning of an exciting sporting journey that promises to enhance employee engagement while reinforcing SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to creating a healthier, more connected, and more collaborative workplace.
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