universities will take part in the 9th University Games Festival, starting 2 November at University of Kelaniya. Around 28 events under 19 different categories of sports and the events will be held at 10 different places, including the University of Kelaniya, Sugathadasa Stadium, Royal College and the sports grounds of the National Youth Centre. The chief guests of the festival are the Minister of Higher Education, Vishwa Warnapala, Minister of Sports, Gamini Lokuge, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor Gamini Samaranayaka, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya Professor Jayantha Wijerathne and the Vice Chancellors and Deans of all the universities. In addition to that, Directors of Sports of all the universities and the directors of the sponsoring companies are also to be present at this occasion. Logo and mascot The logo of the SLUG is in the shape of the letter “U”. It was selected from a competition. The letter “U” was selected, because the Kelani River flows in the shape of the letter “U” when it passes Kelaniya. And the letter “U” symbolizes the whole university system. It is green, to represent the greenish lawns of the grounds and the 13 balls represent the 13 universities who take part in the SLUG. Oriole is the mascot of this year's sports festival. It was in the Olympic Games in 1968, in Mexico that a pet was used as a mascot and it was used to control anti-Olympic ideas stirred up by student revolts and to spread good will among people. It is for the first time that a mascot is being used in a SLUG. Oriole was chosen as the mascot because it is familiar to all Sri Lankans and also because of the close affinity it has with the area of Kelaniya in the Selalihini Sandeshaya. Oriole is an eye catching bird because of its shining body and golden neck and legs. It was selected as the mascot of the year because the oriole is the ideal pet which represents the ethics and principles of the university games. References http://slug2013.moraspirit.com/component/content/article?id=1 University Games National multi-sport events Recurring sporting events established in 1980