The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, our country’s greatest resource is its human capital. To develop it, three pillars are key: education, arts, and sports. We must build a society where people work together beyond ethnic divides—Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim. Sports should unite us; Sri Lanka Cricket is what we build, not regional silos.

¶ 02 We aspire to a society with active, ethical leaders; less non-communicable diseases; strong physical and mental health; disciplined citizens who can accept victory and defeat. The Opposition’s conduct today shows they have not absorbed those values.

¶ 03 On doping regulations: athletes dope knowingly or unknowingly. Many unknowingly consume banned substances via pharmacies, gym instructors, or acquaintances. Awareness must reach the whole society, starting from schools. Currently, the Grade 10 Health and Physical Education text has only a brief note. We must enhance curricula to explain legal consequences, health and social harms, and foster a culture where victories are earned by one’s own strength.

¶ 04 Let us use this debate to build a developed society through sports: strengthen school sports, engage youth and adults, promote community sporting culture, and produce a healthy human resource.

¶ 05 Thank you.