NOCSL’s Sec. Gen Maxwell De Silva Suspended – Finally!

In a landmark decision, the Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has officialy suspended Maxwell De Silva, the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL). 

The suspension, issued through a letter signed by A.H.M.U. Aruna Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, was served to De Silva today at approximately 5:30 PM. 

The letter was also copied to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the President of NOCSL.

As exclusively reported by The Morning Telegraph in yesterday’s article, “Bye! Bye! Maxwell – Sports Minister to Boot Out Corrupt NOC Secretary General” Minister Gamage had pre-warned the IOC and OCA of his intent to suspend De Silva in a letter dated January 6, 2025. The decision was necessitated by the NOCSL Executive Committee’s refusal to implement the Ethics Committee’s directive to address allegations against De Silva.

Grounds for Suspension

De Silva’s suspension comes after years of mounting allegations, including financial fraud, corruption, cheating, , criminal misappropriation, manipulation, and even human smuggling. These charges remained unresolved due to the inaction of previous Sports Ministers, who either ignored the evidence or allegedly benefited from De Silva’s influence. Additionally, investigative officials from various government departments systematically delayed pending investigations, allowing the misconduct to persist unchecked. Minister Gamage’s decisive action is widely praised as a pivotal move toward restoring integrity in Sri Lankan sports administration, aligning with the country’s new initiative, ‘Clean Sri Lanka.’

The IOC had previously expressed its dissatisfaction with the NOCSL’s failure to implement the Ethics Committee’s recommendations, leading to the immediate cessation of funding to the NOCSL. This decision severely impacted numerous sports associations under the Olympic banner and thousands of athletes who represent Sri Lanka internationally.

In the past, Maxwell De Silva sought refuge under the IOC and OCA, citing political interference to shield himself from accountability. However, he is now viewed as persona non grata by both organizations. Due to his actions, the IOC and OCA suspended funding to Sri Lanka, leaving the nation’s sports sector in turmoil. With his suspension now in motion, there is renewed hope for the future of Sri Lankan sports, as the path to reform and transparency appears within reach.

Implications and Future Actions

De Silva’s suspension is expected to pave the way for further accountability within the NOCSL. Minister Gamage’s move also raises hopes that the long-overdue Forensic Financial Audit, approved at the NOCSL’s December 2021 AGM, will finally be conducted. Such an audit would likely expose deeper irregularities involving not only De Silva but also other senior NOCSL officials.

Reports suggest that key Executive Committee members, including Vice Presidents Kanchana Jayaratne and Suranjith Premadasa, Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe, Assistant Secretary Chandana Liyanage, and Assistant Treasurer Shirantha Peries, have repeatedly supported De Silva, helping him maintain his position despite mounting evidence of corruption. These individuals are now under scrutiny for allegedly exploiting the NOCSL for personal gain.

Minister Gamage’s decisive action has been met with widespread approval, marking a critical turning point for Sri Lankan sports governance. It signals a broader commitment to transparency, accountability, and the long-overdue reform of an institution that has faced criticism for years.