The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Anti Doping Agency (SLADA) Professor Arjuna de Silva is going to step down from his post after completing an excellent service of nearly eleven years. Durung his period of SLADA he was also appointed as South Asian Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (SARADO) Chairman with a vote of confidence of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). He was also a key person in organising Asia / Oceania Regional conference and Asia Pacific Sport Ministers Anti Doping Conference in Sri Lanka and has close ties with all the leading WADA officials. He has participated in several WADA conferences as a Sri Lanka delegate.
Prof de Silva was appointed to the SLADA Chairman post in 10th November 2013 and serves as the first Chairman up to date.
“I am very satisfied with my period of SLADA chairman post and this is not my sudden decision to step down. I have served more than ten years period and associated with Sports Medicine Unit and SLADA very closely. It is always an honour for me to be a part of development work in this area,” added Prof Arjuna de Silva. However my assistance to the sports development continue despite my resignation,” he said.
The former Head of the Department of Medicine as well as former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Medical Committee Prof Arjuna has close association with Sri Lankan athletes too.
The Head of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya Prof Arjuna de Silva has been at the forefront in the development of Sports Medicine in Sri Lanka. He was the Director General of Institute of Sports Medicine from 2011-2013 before appointed SLADA Chairman.
He has played a leading role in establishing SLADA and introducing new legislation to criminalise trafficking in banned substances.
Sri Lanka is among few countries in Asia to have legislation to this. Prof De Silva was the medical provider for the T-20 Cricket World Cup hosted by Sri Lanka in 2012. He was also the official physician to the Sri Lankan Olympic team at the 2012 London Olympics.
Prof De Silva has won Presidential research awards in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. He was honoured by ‘Vidyajhothi’ award. During the period of SLADA Chairmen Prof Arjuna de Silva’s vision is to make clean Sports and make good environment to the athletes to go forward. He always works closely with athletes and wanted to enhance knowledge about anti doping among athletes and sports officials. He appreciated the support given by former Director General Dr Seewali Jayawickrama and present Director General Dr Shiromi Pilapitiya de Alwis.
Dhammika Ratnaweera (CDN)
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