The appointment has been hailed as a vote of confidence of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for the hard work done by Sri Lanka. The appointment is for a period of four years. Academic and physician, Professor de Silva is currently the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency. He is also Head of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

He is also a consultant physician at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, trainer in gastroenterology, Chairman of Board of study in Gastroenterology, Member Board of Study in Sports Medicine and Member Board of Study in Medicine.

He is the Associate Editor of the World Journal of Gastroenterology and a Council Member of the National Institute of Education, the governing body vested with the administration, management and control of the affairs of national education.

Prof. de Silva was employed as a Registrar & Research Fellow in Gastroenterology at Radcliffe Infirmary Oxford.

He has won Presidential research awards 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. He was instrumental in establishing SLADA and introducing new legislation to criminalize trafficking in banned substances.

Prof. de Silva has been at the forefront in the development of sports medicine in Sri Lanka. He was the Director General of the Institute of Sports Medicine from 2011-2013. He was the medical provider for the 20/20 Cricket World Cup hosted by Sri Lanka in 2012. and is currently an advisor to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. Prof. de Silva was also the official physician to the Sri Lankan Olympic team at the London Olympics.  (CDN)