The candidate city Hambantota yesterday lodged the official bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

A delegation of Sri Lanka led by the Co-Chairmen of the Hambantota bid committee, the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage made a 20-minute presentation at the formal lodgement ceremony at Kuala Lumpur's Le Meridien Hotel.

Gold Coast in Australia is the other city that lodged a bid to host the games.
The delegation comprised Governor of the Sri Lankan Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambantota district parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, former athlete Sriyani Kulawansa, and the bid Chief Executive Nalin Attygalle.

The Hambantota bid committee Co-Chairman, Ajith Nivard Cabraal has said that the key motivation to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games is the long-term development of the Hambantota district and the Southern Province.

According to Cabraal, the Games would secure long-term and sustainable social and economic benefits for Sri Lanka and the government is investing over four billion dollars for the overall development.

"Our promise to athletes and guests hoping to visit Hambantota and our beautiful country in 2018 would be that we would provide them with an experience of a lifetime, offering diversity, beauty, and charm of our heritage, coupled with exciting festivals and fun," Cabraal said.

India hosted the Games in 2010 and Glasgow in Scotland has been selected to host the 2014 Games. The 2018 games will be hosted in a country from Oceania or Asia.

Inspections will take place before a final presentation by the two cities to the CGF General Assembly which consists of representatives of all 71 member nations and territories. The members will vote on the final decision when the General Assembly meets in St Kitts & Nevis in November 2011.