Sports
Professor Arjuna leaves SLADA with clean record
Prof. Arjuna de Silva considers the clean record the country’s athletes have maintained at the international arena during the last decade is the proof of the high standard the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) has maintained during his tenure as the Chairman of the institution.
“There had been no positive results from tests conducted on Sri Lankan athletes at international competitions since 2011. Last was Manju Wanniarachchi’s,” said Professor de Silva who is set to leave SLADA at the end of this month.
He said this in an interview with The Island. De Silva was referring to the Commonwealth Games gold winning boxer Wanniarachchi’s positive test which resulted in him being stripped off the medal in 2010.
Asked what his institution has done to eradicate the use of banned substances by junior athletes he said introduction of anti-doping to the school syllabus was the main step taken in making awareness.
The Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) was established in 2013 under the Convention against Doping in Sport Act No. 33 to foster a clean sports environment in Sri Lanka. Under the leadership of Prof. Arjuna De Silva, who served as Chairman from its inception, the agency achieved significant milestones that have set a precedent for the Asian region.
His guidance was instrumental in SLADA’s progress, facilitating the establishment of a new headquarters and pioneering initiatives to curb sports supplement trafficking and enacting legislation to hold athlete entourages accountable. His leadership was crucial in the formation of the Legal and Enforcement Unit, which has successfully dismantled several illegal supplement trafficking operations, thereby protecting the nation’s youth from the dangers of doping.
Prof. De Silva was dedicated to fostering regional cooperation in the Asia-Oceania region to combat doping effectively. His efforts were aimed at not only ensuring a dope-free environment in Sri Lankan sports but also contributing to a global movement towards clean sport.
SLADA is committed to advancing the integrity of sports through its pioneering research initiatives. A cornerstone of this effort is the establishment of a cutting-edge research unit, made possible by the visionary leadership of Prof. Arjuna De Silva. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to support advanced research and has been instrumental in fostering collaborations between SLADA and government universities. Through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), students from these universities are granted access to the unit’s sophisticated resources for their research endeavors.
The involvement of Asia and Oceania in the global fight against doping is critically important, given that Asia alone represents approximately 60 percent of the world’s population and 80 percent of the global youth demographic. During Prof. De Silva’s tenure, SLADA successfully hosted two pivotal Asia-Oceania Intergovernmental Ministerial Meetings on anti-doping (the 11th and 18th meeting sessions) in Sri Lanka. These meetings served as vital platforms for knowledge exchange, sharing of experiences, and showcasing the progress made by member countries in combating doping in sport.
Prof. De Silva’s retirement from SLADA will create a significant void within the organization and the broader sports community in Sri Lanka. His leadership and contributions have been instrumental in advancing SLADA’s mission and will be deeply missed.
Sri Lanka’s share of the T20 World Cup will go ahead without disruption despite a recent cyclone and severe flooding that left large parts of the country battered and bruised.
Tournament organisers confirmed that matches scheduled in the island nation will proceed as planned, with Sri Lanka co-hosting the sport’s showpiece event alongside India. Three venues in Sri Lanka will stage games during the competition.
Sri Lanka is set to host 20 of the 55 matches in the tournament. Should Pakistan advance deep into the competition, the island will also stage a semi-final and the final, as Pakistan are unable to travel to India due to long-standing political tensions between the neighbours.
On November 27, cyclonic storm Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka and several other South-East Asian countries, bringing daily life to a grinding halt. Flooding and landslides claimed at least 634 lives, with more than 200 deaths reported in the central city of Kandy.
A recent inspection of facilities in Kandy, however, allayed fears, with authorities giving the ground the all-clear after confirming that damage was minimal.
“We are happy with the progress we have made and it is going to be a superb event,” an official involved in inspecting the Pallekele Stadium told Telecom Asia Sport. “Sri Lanka has hosted ICC events before with great success and we have no doubt this tournament will be another feather in our cap. Kandy has been cleared, as have the other two venues.”
Work is also nearing completion at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground, where floodlights are being installed ahead of five scheduled matches. The capital’s R. Premadasa Stadium will host the bulk of the fixtures, including the blockbuster India–Pakistan clash on February 15.
“There has been huge demand for tickets for the India–Pakistan game,” the official said. “We expect a surge of tourists into Colombo around that fixture, which will provide a significant boost to the economy. Travel companies have already rolled out special packages and we anticipate full houses for several marquee games. India–Pakistan is the main attraction, no doubt, but matches like Sri Lanka versus Australia are also keenly awaited.”
Sri Lanka recently staged several Women’s World Cup matches, some of which were affected by rain. Organisers, however, are confident the weather will stay out of the contest this time, with February and March traditionally dry months in both Colombo and Kandy. (www.telecomasia.net)
Maliban Biscuits has announced a partnership with rising motorsport talent Yevan David, as he prepares to compete on the international stage in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship.
At just 18, Yevan has emerged as one of Asia’s fastest-rising drivers, competing across some of Europe’s toughest circuits and creating history as the first Sri Lankan to race in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. This partnership brings together a young athlete redefining what’s possible for Sri Lanka in global motorsport and a homegrown brand that has consistently backed Sri Lankan ambition on the field, on the track, and beyond.
Yevan’s racing story began in go-karts, starting with early laps at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit before moving into competitive karting in Singapore, where he quickly started stacking international results, including winning the IAME Asia Series (X30 Cadet) and the X30 Asia Cup. After graduating from karts, he stepped into single-seaters in 2024 across UAE F4, Spanish F4 and Eurocup-3, then announced himself in Europe by winning twice on his Euroformula Open debut weekend at Monza. In 2025, he underlined that momentum by taking the Euroformula Open Rookie title and finishing second overall, cementing his status as one of the most compelling young talents to emerge from Sri Lanka onto the global grid.
Commenting on the partnership, Yevan David said:
“Partnering with Maliban means a lot to me. They’ve supported Sri Lankan sport for generations, so having them beside me as I take this next step feels special. I’m proud to carry our flag forward with a brand that believes in our country’s potential as much as I do.”
Over the years, the brand has stood firmly behind Sri Lanka’s sporting journey across every level of competition, supporting the New Zealand U85kg Rugby Tour of Sri Lanka on the international stage, strengthening hockey at school level, backing the Sri Lanka U19 Women’s Cricket Team, supporting the U20 Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, championing Sri Lanka Rugby at the Asia Rugby Qualifiers and powering the Inter Club Rugby League and Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025/2026. This continued investment reflects a long-term commitment to building opportunity, confidence, and national pride through sport.
With Maliban’s support, Yevan’s journey to the FIA Formula 3 grid becomes more than an individual milestone, it becomes a national statement of belief and progress. Together, Maliban and Yevan will carry Sri Lanka’s flag into every corner, every lap, and every finish line he chases in 2026.
Lumbini were strongly placed after Nikil Abilash and Kisandu Dulneth put on a first wicket stand of 128 runs in reply to Isipatana’s 190, but a sudden collapse saw them end day one at 144 for five wickets in the Under 19 traditional encounter at Colts ground.
At Campbell Park, spinner Chaniru Senarathne produced figures 22-3-55-5 for Trinity in the traditional encounter against Wesley.
In an Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket enountet at Bambalapitiya Savi Fernando and Asadisa de Silva put on an unbeaten 90 runs stand for the second wicket to help St. Peter’s reach 93 for one wicket at stumps in reply to DS Senanayake’s 241 on day one.
Asadisa was unbeaten on 53 after having faced 98 balls for his knock which included five fours and a six.
Match Scores
DSS 241, St. Peter’s 93/1 at Bambalapitiya
Scores
DSS
241 all out in 58.5 overs (Bihan Gamage 40, Shevan Welgama 66, Randisha Bandaranaike 29, Chithum Baddage 27; Sadeesha Silva 2/62, Janith Panditharathna 3/77)
St. Peter’s
93 for 1 in 33 overs (Savi Fernando 32n.o., Asadisa de Silva 53n.o.)
Wesley 200/9 decl., Trinity 40/1 at Campbell Park
Scores
Wesley 200 for 9 decl. in 78 overs (Rasheed Nahyan 43, Rashmika Amararathne 36, Methnula Mayadunna 37n.o.; Chaniru Senarathne 5/55)
Trinity
40 for 1 in 15 overs
Isipatana 190, Lumbini 144/5 at Colts
Scores
Isipatana 190 all out in 57 overs (Navidu Umeth 33, Yuveen Keshan 48, Janith Selaka 54; Yashod Kavindu 4/57, Dinal Sewmina 2/10)
Lumbini
144 for 5 in 38 Overs (Nikil Abilash 62, Kisandu Dulneth 57; Menula Dambakumbura 3/15, Thithira Sansira 2/30)
by Reemus Fernando
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