Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Deputy Minister of Sports

Profession: Other

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 11 #210 of 225·#148 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

11 speeches

8 May 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne supported Hon. Hesha Withanage’s Motion, arguing that national and international athletes sacrifice education and personal life and should receive expanded access to university degree opportunities. He noted existing Sports Science and Sports Management programmes at several universities and said the current limited non-Z-score intake for athletes is insufficient. He also referred to the need for more qualified coaches, better school placements for previously recruited coaches, stronger sports administration, and legal arrangements to bring university sports structures under the UGC to improve participation pathways, including in events such as the World University Games. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.17/2024 - School and Higher Education Frameworks for Sportspersons EmploymentEducation Read →
9 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister reflected on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, emphasizing the loss of life, trauma to families and children, and the damage caused to national security, public trust, and inter-religious harmony. He called for the truth to be established, accountability for failures, justice for victims’ families, and the rejection of religious and political extremism. He also described a post-attack sports-based psychosocial programme at St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, and commended religious leaders and the Catholic community for promoting peace while seeking justice. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & Defence Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne supported the adoption of the 2026 WADA prohibited substances list under the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency established by Act No. 33 of 2013. He said SLADA conducts awareness programmes, but stronger testing and education for athletes, coaches and parents are needed, noting around 70 doping-related bans since 2013 and a recent sanction for refusal to provide a sample. He urged increased urine sample collection, after a decline in 2025, and stressed the need to send clean athletes to upcoming Asian and Commonwealth Games to avoid reputational damage to Sri Lankan sport. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne supported the Government’s second Budget, describing it as focused on fiscal discipline, poverty alleviation, production, exports, digitalization, investment, and protection of all communities. He defended the proposed estate worker wage increase to Rs. 1,750, including a Rs. 200 Government arrival incentive, and questioned Opposition criticism of that payment. He also highlighted allocations for tourism development, nature and heritage attractions, coastal and lagoon restoration under Clean Sri Lanka, and sports promotion, linking these measures to economic growth, public health, and a proposed sports economy. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Public FinanceEnvironmentEmployment Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne outlined increased financial support for athletes, stating that assistance has expanded from Rs. 10,000 for about 900 school-level athletes to tiered monthly payments of up to Rs. 100,000 for national-level competitors, with an additional Rs. 60,000 for nutrition. He said coaches are now also being paid at approximately one-third of the athlete support level. Addressing concerns about coaching standards, particularly in schools, he proposed bringing foreign coaches to Sri Lanka to train larger numbers of local coaches rather than sending small groups overseas. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Education Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne supported the Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to align Sri Lanka’s anti-doping framework with WADA standards and protect fair competition and athlete health. He noted practical issues including the absence of local testing laboratories, reliance on overseas facilities in Malaysia and Qatar, delays in results, and the need to address not only athletes but also coaches and suppliers involved in doping. He said 67 athletes had tested positive between May 2011 and May 2025 across several sports, and outlined measures including awareness programmes, athlete and coach allowances, and broader development of a sports economy to reduce incentives for doping and support athlete participation. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading HealthcareLaw & OrderEnvironment Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne defended the Ministry’s support for athletes, stating that nutrition allowances and air tickets for approved overseas tours are being provided across sports. He said new regulations under the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 will impose term limits on federation office-bearers to improve governance, reduce entrenched administration, and prioritize athlete development. He outlined plans for Olympic-focused squads for 2028 and 2032, foreign coaching and technical support in selected sports, expanded school sports funding, coach recruitment, athlete insurance, and development of sports tourism and the sports economy. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Corruption & Governance ReformEducationPublic Finance Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported updated controls on prohibited stimulants in sport, stressing their importance for athletes, federations, coaches, medical and nutrition professionals, and sponsors. He outlined the health, disciplinary, and reputational consequences of doping, cited international and Sri Lankan cases, and reported SLADA testing and awareness figures for 2023-2025, including funds allocated in 2025 for testing and education. He noted that Sri Lanka sends samples to a WADA-accredited laboratory in Qatar due to the lack of local accredited facilities, and said action would be taken to curb imports of prohibited substances while promoting clean sport through education, oversight, nutrition, technology, and sports ethics. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations HealthcareLaw & Order Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the regulations under the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act, No. 33 of 2013, explaining that they update Sri Lanka’s prohibited substances list in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency framework. He noted that SLADA was established as a standalone agency in 2013 after anti-doping functions had previously operated under the Sports Medicine Unit, and stressed that regular updates are needed because prohibited substances may be supplied through coaches, medical personnel, nutritionists, supplement providers, and others around athletes. He said the regulations are important for the 74 sports federations registered under the Ministry and for maintaining clean sport, including in contexts involving animals used in sport. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Law & Order Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne outlined the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ plans to use the 2025 Budget to improve Sri Lanka’s international sporting performance, citing the country’s limited Olympic, Commonwealth, and Asian Games medal record. He said the Ministry will work with sports federations to implement monitored high-performance, national, and junior pools, with data-based selection, residential training, performance analysis, and support beyond stipends. He also announced targeted programmes, including a javelin initiative aimed at identifying village talent and pursuing a possible Olympic medal in 2028, while noting that past sports infrastructure spending, such as container-based courts, would be examined. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →