Professor Arjuna de Silva, the newly appointed Director General of the Institute of Sports Medicine (ISM), made his intentions clear by spelling out the need to upgrade Sri Lanka’s only sports medicine unit as a ‘Centre of Excellence’. Professor de Silva elaborated this point when he spoke to journalists prior to assuming duties at his new office in Torrington.
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| Professor Arjuna de Silva readying himself to take up the new challenge as the head of ISM. (Pic by Amila Prabodha) |
“I have no personal agendas. My objective here is to convert the ISM to a place rich with medical experts to serve the country’s sports arena. I’m a doctor and my job is to teach medical students and treat patients. My appointment was a result of an invitation made by the Minister of Sports, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and I’m ready to take the challenge and make the ISM a better place for Sri Lankan sports,” professor de Silva pointed out.
The new Director General further detailed his plans by saying that he intends to speed up the process of the setting up of the 25 district sports medical units. Among them are plans to apply up-to-date technology and give the athletes from the rural areas the opportunity of making use of the best medical facilities available. Prof. De Silva further stated that he also intends to distribute equal facilities to all medical units that at the same time need to be developed.
Commenting on doping allegations Sri Lanka faced recently, professor de Silva stated that he intends to carry out the regulations set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). His immediate intention is to educate the local athletes on anti-doping and its regulations but the most vital area that needs to be covered according to him is the schools.
“An athlete is an asset to a nation. Why must one use banned drugs to win and earn glory when the whole world knows that WADA is conducting tests on the first three finishers of a race or the best performing player of the day regardless of who you are or where you come from. Using banned substances will only bring disgrace to the athlete as an individual and to the country as a whole. This menace must be eradicated gradually but permanently,” the former national oarsman added.
The Professor pointed out the importance of separating the ISM and the local anti-doping office into different premises after the recent accusations that were brought up through the media.
“The recent incidents looked like the athletes were treated and caught by the same people. The Institutes of Sports Medicine and Anti-Doping needs to be located in two places with two different panels. Presently we have the support from the ministerial level to implement this.”
“We also need to do researches on sports medicine and anti-doping. We have the possibility and if that takes place it will be a good point to signify our potential in sports as well as medically. The other important factor is the need of a well qualified sports psychologist. We also need to give qualified experts the opportunity to work so we could make use of them which means that there’s no room for unqualified and unregistered individuals here while I’m the head. The Sports Minister invited me to play this role with a free hand and the day I feel uncomfortable I’m willing to get back to the hospital wards where I really belong,” he stressed out. | 
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