The recent triumph of the University of Kelaniya Girls’ Taekwondo team at the 2024 Inter-University Championship has inadvertently unearthed yet another case of administrative malpractice that is emblematic of the systemic corruption gnawing at the foundation of Sri Lankan sports. At the heart of this controversy lies Ruwan Alahakoon, who, despite serving as Secretary of the Taekwondo Federation, was appointed Head Coach of the Kelaniya University Girls’ Taekwondo team—a blatant violation of sports law.
According to national sports regulations, no individual, whether a parent, coach, or official of any team, is permitted to concurrently hold a position within a national sports federation. Yet, Alahakoon’s dual roles have gone unchecked, spotlighting a worrying pattern of institutional negligence. His presence as the Secretary of the Taekwondo Federation has granted him additional influence, extending to a seat on the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Executive Committee—a position ripe for potential conflicts of interest.
This glaring oversight is not an isolated incident but rather the latest in a series of governance failings that have plagued Sri Lankan sports. The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka has been under mounting pressure from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to take action. The Ethics Committee’s report recommending the suspension of NOCSL’s Secretary General Maxwell De Silva is one example of the escalating crisis, with international bodies calling for urgent reform.
Corruption and favoritism have long undermined Sri Lankan sports, with a cohort of self-serving officials infiltrating federations to prioritize personal agendas over athlete welfare and the integrity of competition. The case of Alahakoon serves as a reminder of the deeply entrenched governance issues that continue to cripple the nation’s athletic potential.
The Sports Ministry must act now. With a new minister set to be sworn in soon, there is an opportunity to wipe out the wrongdoing of the old guard and restore transparency and integrity to the management of sports in Sri Lanka. The time for meaningful action is now.
