The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, under the aegis of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), we have established the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA). As an affiliate, we must act under WADA’s rules and regulations. Pursuant to Act No. 33 of 2013, the Convention against Doping in Sport Act, our national anti-doping agency functions accordingly.

¶ 02 WADA annually amends its list of prohibited substances. We are today tabling and discussing the list applicable to 2026 for Parliamentary approval. I believe there is no issue in approving it.

¶ 03 SLADA works to ensure our athletes become good, clean athletes, safeguarding discipline and health through education for athletes and coaches. Last year alone, we tested about 140 athletes; to my knowledge, three tested positive and have been subjected to bans and due process. Anti-doping is an athlete’s responsibility. Testing costs are high—about Rs. 100,000 per test—so we focus on those competing internationally.

¶ 04 We run extensive education for athletes and coaches. Sport has commercialized globally, making some competitions intensely competitive. Some coaches seek quick wins during their tenure, which feeds the doping problem. A stimulant may bring a short-term victory but can end an athlete’s career and harm health. Hence our focus on awareness to prevent such outcomes.

¶ 05 Alongside anti-doping rules, many international sporting bodies have regulations we must follow. If this were a purely domestic issue, we could set any rules; but for international participation, we must align with their statutes and regulations. While drafting laws, we adapt to national needs. We have already amended several sports-related regulations. Some ask about sports law reforms—last year we studied, gazetted and obtained Parliamentary approval to amend many sports regulations in May. Further necessary legal changes will be made this year and next.

¶ 06 We identified a persistent issue: governance in national sports associations. There are 74 such associations, many controlled by the same office-bearers—presidents, secretaries, treasurers—for long periods. We amended the law to cap office at about eight years. Anyone exceeding eight years in any national association cannot hold office there again, nor can they move to another association. Eight years is enough; if you could not deliver by then, we do not believe you will beyond that. Elections must be held every two years. Consequently, many long-standing office-bearers across the 74 associations will not be able to return.

¶ 07 Within about five months at the Ministry, we have advanced significant reforms to align with international standards. Additionally, last year we undertook major work: for instance, proceeding to build an indoor stadium in Jaffna—land was identified via the District Secretary and the foundation laid, though a local politician has filed a case; still, we will pursue the people’s right to sport. We invested Rs. 300 million to upgrade 90 school playgrounds. We completed the Bandarawela indoor stadium, a swimming pool in Mannar, 400m tracks in Trincomalee and Ratnapura, and handed them to the public.

¶ 08 Sports have been in crisis for years—cricket and many others stagnated for over a decade. Rebuilding athletes and sports cannot be done in a month or two; it takes time. We are bringing Sri Lankan cricket back to where it should be, with a clear agenda. We will not be swayed by mudslinging. Thank you for the time.