The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, as we debate the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, regulations under the Sports Act, and rules under the Judicature Act, I wish to focus on sports.

¶ 02 Under the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, we are approving regulations today concerning the National Sports Council, District Sports Committees, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, establishment of a Sports Fund, registration and administration of National Sports Associations, and the setting up of sports academies.

¶ 03 These regulations aim, among other things, to bring the 73 scattered sports associations under a unified legal framework. History shows intense politicization of sport—with particular criticism directed at cricket, but also other associations—especially that presidents were never rotated. The necessary subordinate legislation was not enacted in the past. Today’s regulations will cap the tenures of president, secretary, and treasurer of sports associations to eight years, ensuring better governance and preventing individuals from capturing associations—a longstanding Opposition complaint which past regimes failed to address.

¶ 04 Another major criticism was politicization—presidents’ sons racing on closed streets near Temple Trees; babies of presidents blocking others from playing rugby; parents presenting cups. We are ending such practices through these regulations.

¶ 05 In Kegalle District, many association presidencies were held by politicians: former Chief Minister Maheepala Herath was president of the District Kabaddi Association and District Sports Foundation and now of the Sri Lanka Kabaddi Federation; his son Kanaka Herath heads District Table Tennis and the District Football League and the District Sports Committee, and also the Sri Lanka Table Tennis Association; former Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya headed District Badminton and District Volleyball and then Sri Lanka Volleyball; Dushmantha Mithrapala led the District Elle Association; Sudath Manjula led the District Cycling Association; former MP Tharaka Balasuriya led the District Bodybuilding Association; Lalin Dissanayake led the Judo Association. With politicians presiding over everything, the future of sport suffered—talent selection catered to political whims, and genuine athletes were sidelined. With these regulations, true talent and ordinary citizens who love sport will now get opportunities. Many withdrew from sport due to politicization; they can now return.

¶ 06 Importantly, the regulations mandate women’s representation: in sports predominantly played by women, at least two executive committee members must be women. They also create space for persons with disabilities. Passing these regulations will depoliticize sport, foster a sports-loving society, and protect the dignity of sport and athletes.

¶ 07 Some today spoke on history and the economy—forgetting that when they were in power they said families could live on Rs. 2,500; now they claim a family needs Rs. 125,000 a month. We, the National People’s Power Government, understand the country’s future and have already begun programs: organizing farmers, strengthening dairy through the Dairy Hub to meet national milk demand, and resolving the coconut shortage by initiating the planting of 350,000 coconut seedlings in the North and East. We are implementing a planned approach to manage the economy. The Opposition has nothing constructive but mudslinging.

¶ 08 We assure that in every sector we act responsibly, and in sports we will elevate Sri Lanka’s name internationally through these reforms. Thank you.