The Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne - Deputy Minister of Sports

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today we debate two Orders, a Bill, and several other items. Regarding the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, I wish to note the publication of the prohibited substances list.

¶ 02 Sport today is at a very high global level, with advances in technology and science driving intense competition and significant athlete earnings. In pursuit of victory and income, some resort to various methods, including introducing prohibited substances into their bodies.

¶ 03 We expect clean sport: athletes should push body and mind to showcase their skills. However, some have come to rely on artificial means. To counter this, WADA was established globally, and in line with that, Sri Lanka established SLADA under Act No. 33 of 2013. It performs a key role.

¶ 04 In earlier times, due to lack of athlete awareness, prohibited substances were ingested through various actors—coaches and others. Since around 2000, Sri Lanka has paid greater attention, and the anti-doping drive has been functioning, formally established in 2013.

¶ 05 WADA annually publishes the prohibited list, which we must adopt in Parliament each year. Today we consider the 2026 list.

¶ 06 SLADA runs awareness programs nationwide throughout the year—for schoolchildren, coaches, and others—and publicizes what is prohibited. Sri Lanka has people who tend toward malpractice and some who, when told “don’t do this,” are tempted to do exactly that. Publicizing the list can tempt some to exploit it for economic gain in sport. I worry about that risk.

¶ 07 It is not only athletes; there are various sports groups. Often with their support, our sports get ruined. When doping samples test positive, it greatly harms the country and sport, and also hurts clean athletes.

¶ 08 From 2013 to date, about 70 Sri Lankan athletes have been found guilty of doping violations and banned for periods from six months up to four years. These are talented athletes who then cannot present their abilities. By publicizing the list, we hope to reduce such violations.

¶ 09 We can collect samples during competitions or out-of-competition. For clarity: in 2025, when SLADA officials went to collect a urine sample from one athlete, he refused and fled with his coach. SLADA pursued the case, and now a competition ban has been imposed with effect from 5 March 2026 until 30 October 2027. Not only positive urine or blood results but also refusal, evasion, or tampering are sanctionable.

¶ 10 We must increase awareness for athletes and parents and improve sampling procedures. In 2023 we collected 145 urine samples; in 2024, 130; but in 2025 only about 41—this must increase. Budget allocations exist; publishing the list is not enough—testing is essential to deter violations.

¶ 11 Finally, the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games are upcoming. We must send clean athletes. One black mark from one athlete can severely harm our country and sport. I believe we can act accordingly. Thank you.