The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the regulations under the Anti-Doping Convention.

¶ 02 Our greatest resource is human capital, especially our youth. Sports harness that potential and bring international recognition to Sri Lanka. A critical issue, globally and in Sri Lanka, is athletes using stimulants or illegal drugs during competition. One cause is a social structure that pushed youth into self-centred pursuits without collective pathways to represent and win for the nation. We need to change that history.

¶ 03 Our Sports Minister is charting a new course, particularly encouraging youth. I am confident Sri Lanka will enter a new era in sports.

¶ 04 We must also pay particular attention to the North and East. For over 30 years, war devastated all sectors there. Yet athletes from Jaffna and Mullaitivu, despite losses, have won international medals. Are they properly recognized? Often, no.

¶ 05 Our Minister has visited Jaffna repeatedly, engaging with local clubs and stakeholders, and is advancing plans—under the guidance of the Hon. President—for an international cricket ground in Jaffna. Before our five-year term ends, we intend to host an international sports event there. Jaffna has also lacked an indoor stadium; land has been identified in the Semmani area for an indoor arena and a training centre.

¶ 06 Past rulers, including Tamil politicians who now shed crocodile tears, did not deliver these. They now ally with those they once criticized, even with individuals complicit in atrocities, to build local power. We, however, pursue a people-centric programme that the Tamil community welcomes—free of ethnic and sectarian politics. That old politics will be rejected.

¶ 07 Thank you.