Cabinet approves UNESCO convention of WADA

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage submitted a Cabinet Paper recently to approve the new UNESCO Convention of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). According to this convention, Sri Lanka Government, has to abide by all the rules of the WADA based in Montreal, Canada and rulings and decisions given by WADA will be strictly adhered to.

When sportsmen and women become positive for a banned substance, Government has to comply with WADA rules and impose penalties for the Doping Violations. National Anti Doping Organization of Sri Lanka (NADO) is the agency of WADA and its chairman is Dr Geethanjan Mendis. WADA has accredited NADO to conduct its affairs in Sri Lanka.

Sports Minister Aluthgamage has directed NADO Sri Lanka to conduct more workshops for sportsmen and women, coaches, trainers and administrators and conduct more anti doping tests in Sri Lanka.

External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris and the Minister Aluthgamage will sign the new UNESCO convention of WADA next week. UNESCO convention itself will monitor anti doping activities or testing of sportsmen and women for banned drugs and substances in Sri Lanka.