The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, speaking while you are in the Chair on this subject is important. The 2013 No. 33 Convention Against Doping in Sport Act domesticated an international convention. After nearly 13 years, trends have changed, and updating domestic law is necessary. We appreciate the Government bringing these amendments and express our support.

¶ 02 A key change is to move away from criminal prosecution in the High Court for doping violations—which was a heavy-handed path under the 2013 law—to an alternative mechanism: adjudication by disciplinary panels within the anti-doping structure. This aligns with modern global practice, using non-judicial disciplinary bodies instead of immediate recourse to courts and imprisonment.

¶ 03 However, I must note policy inconsistency. Just two weeks ago, the Government brought Penal Code amendments that could imprison parents, teachers, principals, clergy, and mentors for disciplinary actions against children, even for minor conduct like scolding—measures we opposed. Today, the same Government is decriminalizing doping sanctions into disciplinary processes. This contradiction reflects a lack of coherent policy.

¶ 04 Further, on cricket reform: during the presidential and parliamentary campaigns, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and many of us endorsed Justice K.T. Chitrasiri’s report on restructuring Sri Lanka Cricket—limiting manipulations, reforming voting structures, and democratizing governance. A year has passed. Hon. Minister, how many recommendations from Chitrasiri have you implemented? Cricket, too, faces integrity and anti-doping concerns, and institutional reforms are essential. Please state, in this debate, which recommendations have been carried out.

¶ 05 Thank you.