Colombo, Nov 16 (IANS): Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday emphasised the importance of sports in creating social integration and amity among different communities in the country.

Stressing that "sports have played a unique role in the country's resurgence", the president said Sri Lanka has absorbed the values of fitness, fair play, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence in the arena of sports, which has carved a successful path for reconciliation and building communal harmony, Xinhua reported.

"In contemporary Sri Lanka, sports have evolved into a very important and pivotal part of society. Through sports, we have created a new passion in our people, whose lives are being transformed with a holistic development," Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lanka has intensified efforts to build sports facilities across the nation since the government undertook the task of rebuilding Sri Lanka in 2005. New facilities include sports complexes in the northern and central provinces, a cricket stadium in Hambantota and a rugby ground in Colombo.