A spectacular opening ceremony, reflecting the rich cultural traditions of Sri Lanka [Images], marked the start of the 10th South Asian Games, in Colombo on Friday.

Amidst heightened security, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared the Games open to deafening applause from the spectators who braved heavy afternoon showers at the Sugathadas Outdoor Stadium.

The SAG torch, which travelled across 25 cities in this tiny island nation that is hosting the Games for the first time in 15 years, was lit by former Asian gold medal-winning athlete Nagalingam and Commonwealth Games [Images] silver medallist Sriyani Fonseka.

Adding to the visual splendour of the programme was a breathtaking fireworks display, organised by China, hosts of 2008 Olympics [Images].

The ceremony kicked-off with a live band performance followed by an Olympic rings' formation by schoolgirls, dressed in white blouses and skirts of various hues.

The traditional sport of breaking coconuts, featuring drum-bearing men, clad in white and red dhoti, and somersaulters enthralled the stadium that was packed to capacity with 15,000-odd spectators.

The excitement touched a crescendo when eleven paratroopers, carrying colourful parachutes, touched the ground and saluted Rajapakse, seated in a bullet-proof enclosure.

Another highlight of the programme was the march past by contingents of all the eight participating countries.

The Indian contingent, boasting of the largest number of athletes, 417, was led by veteran shooter and Commonwealth Games medallist Ashok Pandit.

The Indian men were smartly turned out in white blue blazers and navy blue trousers and orange turbans. The Indian women looked resplendent in pink and orange sarees and light blue blazers.

The loudest applause was reserved for local sportspersons, who were led by Sydney Games' bronze medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe. The dashing sprinter is eyeing a hat-trick of medals at her final international appearance at home.

The 377-strong Pakistani contingent, led by Commonwealth gold medal-winning weightlifter Sujauddin Malik, was also cheered enthusiastically

The ceremony was witnessed by a host of VIPs and top government officials, including Sports Minister Jeevana Kumaratunga, making it a security nightmare for the commoners.

Even the media was not spared; those covering the event were asked to make it to the venue close to three hours in advance. All their equipment, like camera and laptop, were scrutinied by members of the President's security division.

The heightened security measures could be blamed on Monday's bomb blast that killed seven people and injured several others and led to South Africa's [Images] pull-out from the cricket tri-series, also featuring India.

But while the rain gods have thrown a dampener to the cricket series, they seemed to have relented to let the spectators soak in the colourful evening. The leaden-eyed skies opened up again just as the ceremony was about to end.

From Saturday, the focus shifts to the sporting fields. Around 20,000 athletes from eight nations will vie for honours in as many as 20 disciplines over the next nine days.