Convention against Doping in Sport Bill in House on Tuesday

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage will present to Parliament on Tuesday the Convention against Doping in Sport Bill, which will, among others, make provision for the establishment of the Sri Lanka Anti- Doping Agency, as well as specify the applicable domestic legal mechanism to combat doping in Sport, within the framework of the Convention.

Under the terms of the Convention, State parties, either by way of legislation, or regulation policies, or administrative practices, can give effect to it.

In keeping with this, the Bill will restrict the availability of prohibited substances to athletes, except for legitimate medical purposes, as well as set up doping controls and support national testing programmes.

It also provides for the withholding of financial support for athletes and athlete support personnel who commit an anti- doping rule violation, or for sporting organisations that are not in compliance with the rules.