The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, before today’s topic, I must raise an urgent matter. In 2025, the Northern Provincial Education Department made around 290 “service requirement” transfers contrary to national/provincial policies; following a High Court case, they were withdrawn. This year, similar transfers were reintroduced with annual transfers, and now 193 such transfers have been annulled by the Human Rights Commission. Plans to move 368 teachers from Vanni (including Kilinochchi) to Jaffna are underway, while “service need” transfers from Jaffna have been stayed by the HRC. Who is accountable for two years of transfer failures? Who ensures equal access to education when teachers are lacking? Why impose irregular “service need” transfers? I humbly request the Hon. Prime Minister and the Government to ensure equal access and urgent solutions for our children.

¶ 02 On today’s debate—regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport, among others. Due to limited time, I will focus on anti-doping regulations.

¶ 03 These regulations aim to strengthen ethics in youth and sport. Nationally beneficial programmes are welcome. But our question is whether island-wide equity is considered in policy and practice. The 2026.01.16 Gazette (2471/51) on prohibited substances, methods, in-competition and out-of-competition bans, the Monitoring Program, and Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) took effect from 2026.01.01—three months have already passed. Last March, Sri Lanka’s anti-doping agency had been flagged by WADA; from 2025.08.19 Sri Lanka was listed as non-compliant. Now, through these measures, we are attempting to re-align legally with international standards.

¶ 04 However, opportunities for training, facilities, qualified coaches, guidance, nutrition, sports medicine, and continuous monitoring are unequal—especially in the Vanni District. Can the Minister assure this House that clarity about prohibited substances, supplements, and their impact on careers will be provided equally across provinces and districts?

¶ 05 Please give me one more minute, Sir. The Vanni District is not reached equally. As we approve these regulations, I request:

¶ 06 - Provide adequate awareness to athletes and schoolchildren in every district per the Gazette. - Do not enforce regulations without sufficient awareness; otherwise athletes may be unfairly penalized. - Establish compulsory anti-doping awareness programmes island-wide. - Ensure Mullaitivu District receives equal access, facilities and resources as other districts. - Note that Mullaitivu still lacks a District Sports Complex, swimming pool, indoor facilities for handball/volleyball/basketball, and a gym; there are shortages in staffing, equipment and ministerial guidance. Please bring Mullaitivu to parity.

¶ 07 Additionally, the Extraordinary Gazette (noted as 2471/51 dated 2026.01.16) contains typographical, layout, nomenclature and duplication errors in English and Tamil. I request the Minister to correct these and I table a list of such errors. Thank you.