FFSL President lured by Maxwell De Silva’s Carrot
The current President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), Jaswar Umar, is rumored to be strategizing a bid for the presidency of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL). However, his alleged alliance with the currently suspended NOCSL Secretary General Maxwell de Silva has raised serious ethical concerns, given the widespread corruption allegations surrounding both figures.
Sources indicate that Maxwell de Silva, who was suspended following a damning inquiry by the Ministry of Sports, is now orchestrating a campaign to gain Jaswar Umar’s support in his battle against the decision of Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Welgama. This suspension was not only endorsed by the Ministry of Sports but also fully backed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
FFSL: A Breeding Ground for Corruption?
The Football Federation of Sri Lanka has long been plagued by corruption, financial mismanagement, and lack of accountability. Given its substantial funding and resources, many within the sporting community are not surprised that FFSL funds are allegedly being used to cover the legal costs of both Maxwell de Silva’s and also the current Asst. Secretary Chandana Liyanage who stands in support of his suspended NOCSL Sec.General, a move that continues to raise eyebrows and sparked outrage.
Additionally, Umar was reportedly one of the key figures who backed Maxwell de Silva’s unsuccessful attempt to hold an early NOCSL Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections. This attempt aimed to shorten the tenure of current NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam and dismantle the Ethics Committee, which had recommended de Silva’s suspension following a Ministry of Sports investigation into financial misconduct and corruption.
The IOC and OCA have made it clear that all officials facing allegations must step down, yet Chandana Liyanage remains at large, continuing to be a major obstacle to reform. Considered the mastermind behind much of the corruption, Chandana was notorious for circumventing per diem policies and illegally claiming allowances for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games. His track record of fraud extends beyond sports administration, as his contract with Brandix was terminated due to alledged fraudulent activities. For over 15 years, he has colluded with Maxwell de Silva, siphoning resources meant for athletes, and until he is removed, the IOC and OCA have refused to support the NOCSL. Even today, in the writ case filed by Maxwell against the Minister of Sports, Chandana remains Maxwell’s sole defender, further highlighting his deep entrenchment in corrupt dealings.
Interestingly, many of Maxwell de Silva’s former allies within NOCSL, who were implicated in corruption, have since resigned in disgrace, following exposés in Parliament detailing their misconduct. However, Jaswar Umar is believed to still be facilitating meetings between Maxwell de Silva and his supporters under the banner of FFSL.
Jaswar Umar’s History with Football and Alleged Links to the ‘Orange Report’ Scandal
Jaswar Umar’s name has also been tied to past FFSL corruption scandals, including his past opposition and finally cozying upto to Manil Fernando, the son of disgraced former FFSL strongman Manilal Fernando. Manilal, once a powerful figure in Sri Lanka football, was exposed for misappropriating millions of dollars in FIFA development funds.
These financial irregularities were detailed in the ‘Orange Report’, an 80-plus page forensic audit conducted by KPMG that documented years of financial fraud within FFSL. However, the report has been buried for over a decade, and no action has been taken against those implicated. Many believe that the current Minister of Sports must revive this report and hold those responsible accountable.
Maxwell de Silva’s Dark Past: A Mastermind of Election Tampering?
Maxwell de Silva is no stranger to controversy. Over the years, he has gained a reputation for manipulating sports elections to maintain control. One of his most notorious acts was during the 2023 Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) elections, where he was allegedly paid a hefty sum to disrupt proceedings and influence the voting process.
- The OCA, which oversees 45 National Olympic Committees in Asia, held its presidential elections in July 2023, resulting in Talal Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah being elected as President.
- However, by 30 July 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) intervened, asking Randhir Singh to continue as Acting President while an investigation was launched into alleged election fraud.
- By October 2023, the IOC Ethics Committee declared that the elections should be annulled, citing that Talal Al-Sabah’s candidacy did not meet eligibility requirements and was influenced by his brother, Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.
Maxwell de Silva, alongside representatives from other national bodies, was allegedly involved in orchestrating disruptions at the OCA elections, further tarnishing Sri Lanka’s reputation in international sports governance.
The Bigger Picture: A Threat to Sri Lanka’s Sports Governance
If Jaswar Umar successfully aligns himself with Maxwell de Silva and makes a serious push for the NOCSL presidency, it could lead to further instability within Sri Lankan sports administration. Given the corruption scandals tied to both figures, their potential leadership within the NOCSL could derail ongoing reforms aimed at cleaning up governance in Sri Lanka’s sports sector.
With Sri Lanka’s sporting credibility already under scrutiny in many ways, there is a growing fear that a greater fate could befall the National Olympic Committee if individuals like Jaswar Umar is to muster power with the help of Maxwell de Silva.
The Sri Lankan sports community, as well as international governing bodies, will be closely monitoring these developments, as the nation cannot afford another sports governance scandal. If the current Minister of Sports is committed to rooting out corruption, he must revisit the ‘Orange Report’ on FFSL and take immediate action to prevent further financial mismanagement and political interference in Sri Lanka’s sporting institutions.
