Minister Gamage Takes Decisive Action to Avert Looming IOC Suspension
Newly appointed Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has informed both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) that he is on the verge of suspending Maxwell De Silva, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), citing the Executive Committee’s ongoing refusal to implement the Ethics Committee’s directive.
While the Minister has not yet enforced the suspension, he has informed James McLeod, the NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity, and Olympism 365 Director (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland via a letter dated January 6, 2025, that he intends to do so shortly in order to maintain compliance with both Sri Lankan laws and IOC regulations, ultimately safeguarding the interests of the country’s sports sector and its athletes. A copy of this letter as seen by The Morning Telegraph is also addressed to Hussain Al Musallam, Director General, Olympic Council of Asia.
Minister Gamage’s position follows a Ministry of Sports investigation and subsequent Ethics Committee ruling, both of which uncovered multiple acts of fraud and corruption allegedly committed by Secretary De Silva. In his communication to the IOC and OCA, the Minister indicated he would rely on powers vested in him as Sports Minister, having also received the Attorney General’s approval to do so. This step aims to safeguard over 32 Sports Associations and more than 1,000 athletes, who risk losing the chance to represent Sri Lanka on the global stage.
Observers are lauding the Minister’s stance, describing it as aligning with the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ campaign. Minister Gamage’s firm approach will also shortly target other corrupt NOCSL Executive Committee Members such as Vice Presidents Kanchana Jayaratne and Suranjith Premadasa, Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe, Assistant Secretary Chandana Liyanage, and Assistant Treasurer Shirantha Peries, who according to reports, have actively supported and or aided and abetted De Silva in maintaining a majority at NOCSL Executive Committee meetings and, in doing so, allegedly exploited the NOCSL for personal gain on multiple ocassions over the years.
Meanwhile, reliable sources reveal that the hastily arranged AGM and election planned for March 2025 by Secretary De Silva and his allegedly corrupt Executive Committee faction aims to secure any means, legitimate or otherwise, to nullify De Silva’s suspension. Their strategy involves elevating current Assistant Treasurer Shirantha Peries, who has publicly declared his ambition for the top post, to the presidency. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) regards this plan as a calculated act of manipulation that infringes upon its own charter, and based on past experience, is unlikely to dispatch a representative to the forthcoming AGM and election.
Overall, the Minister of Sports Gamage’s warning has been well-received by many who note that previous Sports Ministers were aware of Maxwell De Silva’s alleged misconduct,documented in multiple investigations, but repeatedly failed to intervene. Now, with the IOC already halting funding to Sri Lanka as a preliminary sanction, Minister Gamage’s pledge to suspend De Silva, represents a crucial effort to avert a full-scale IOC suspension and restore integrity within Sri Lankan sports and also endorse the NPP government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ campaign and initiative from a sporting perspective.
Minister of sports has to boot out many fraudsters in sports who have been investigated and found guilty . The Auditor General have reported many financial frauds and nefarious activities of many National Federations. By the way, these corrupt officials have crept into minister’s inner circle and has become his close councellors.Cycling Federation is on the top of the list where ex top officials were investigated for malpractices and fraud by the sports ministry and were guilty of all counts including theft thus banned for life.If the minister wants to support Clean up Sri Lanka mooted by the President first clean up the sports Mafia.Why wait until the IOC gives the direction to suspend the officials. It gives an impression that the minister is only a figurehead and is powerless. Why can’t the minister ask the auditor general to do a forensic audit of all National Federations or Boards who have openly violated the sports act pilfered assets and funds belonging to athletes. Well, All previous ministers during the last two decades were agents of corrupt officials and used to coverup these swindlers for personal favours.Mr.Minister please be careful of these new found vicious circle of friends.They may harm your integrity literally disguised as gentlemen in sports.