While the world, including Sri Lanka, marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the achievements and contributions of women, a targeted smear campaign was launched against renowned Olympic boxing referee and Chief Police Inspector Nelka Shiromala. The Sri Lanka Boxing Association (BASL), under the leadership of Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, in collaboration with a officials close to him and a leading Sunday newspaper, orchestrated a one-sided and unwarranted attack on one of Sri Lanka’s most distinguished female officials, a figure who has brought greater recognition to the country as a referee and judge than many of its own athletes competing on the international stage.
Shiromala, who was recently recognized as the best referee and judge at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, now finds herself at the center of a malicious and politically driven attack, engineered by officials with ulterior motives.
Unjust Targeting of a Respected International Official
Shiromala, a two-time Olympic referee, has vowed to clear her name after what she describes as a baseless and targeted campaign aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
“I have never been formally suspended by the International Boxing Association (IBA), yet deliberate misinformation has been spread to tarnish my reputation. This is nothing more than a coordinated attempt to undermine and discredit me” Shiromala stated.
Her association with World Boxing (WB), a rival organization to the IBA that is now provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been cited as the primary reason for the attack against her.
After the IOC banned the IBA, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) revoked the BASL’s membership due to its continued association with the now-discredited IBA. This move highlights the increasing credibility of World Boxing, which has gained the backing of 84 nations, including powerhouses like the USA, Australia, Germany, and France, all renowned for producing world-class boxing champions. Their support further strengthens World Boxing’s position as the legitimate governing body for the sport’s future.
“My status as an Olympic official remains fully recognized and unaffected” Shiromala affirmed.
Despite this, the BASL’s orchestrated effort to sideline her suggests an attempt to prevent Sri Lanka from aligning with World Boxing, which is the only internationally recognized pathway for athletes to compete in future Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Nelka Shiromala has cemented Sri Lanka’s place on the global boxing stage as a highly respected and renowned female referee and judge.
Allegations Without Basis: The Truth Behind the Accusations
The Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) has recommended a two-year suspension for Shiromala, claiming she violated IBA regulations by officiating at the U-19 World Boxing Championship in Colorado from October 25 to November 3, 2024, without seeking prior approval.
However, Shiromala has firmly denied any wrongdoing, clarifying that she had sought approval from the BASL President and followed all protocols with the Sports Ministry.
“I was never made aware of any restrictions. As a law enforcement officer, I am well-versed in following proper procedures and adhering to regulations.” she asserted.
A further outrageous aspect of this campaign is the release of a confidential Tribunal letter, which was circulated within the BASL Executive Committee before being leaked and misrepresented on WhatsApp and in the media.
“This letter was meant to remain confidential, but it was deliberately leaked to mislead the public and falsely suggest that I had already been suspended” Shiromala revealed.
Sri Lanka’s Boxing Future at Risk
Shiromala is not alone in this battle. She was one of 36 international Olympic referees from five continents investigated by the BIIU, yet Sri Lanka remains the only country where this has turned into a scandal.
“World Boxing advocates for all of us as a unified body. I chose not to respond individually because this is a widespread issue impacting numerous officials on a global scale,” she clarified.
With the IBA banned from Olympic competition, Sri Lanka must align itself with World Boxing if its athletes are to compete internationally.
“The IBA is no longer acknowledged by the IOC, whereas World Boxing holds official recognition. Our athletes deserve the opportunity to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the BASL should prioritize creating pathways for them rather than targeting officials who are genuinely working towards the future of the sport. Moreover affiliation with World Boxing is also relevant for participation in the Youth Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Military Games etc” Shiromala emphasized.
Her final hearing is set for April 15 in Geneva, where legal representatives and World Boxing officials will defend her case.
At the same time, she has vowed to pursue legal action under Sri Lanka’s Sports Law and Regulations, seeking an official inquiry from the Sports Minister into the smear campaign against her.
Additionally, she intends to involve the Police Media Unit and the Cyber Crimes Unit of the CID to investigate the deliberate circulation of false information.
A Shameful Attack on Women’s Day
This attack on one of Sri Lanka’s most distinguished female sports officials on International Women’s Day has been widely condemned by those in the sporting fraternity. While the world celebrated the achievements of women, Sri Lanka Boxing Association and its allies launched an unjust campaign against a woman who has brought unparalleled honor to Sri Lanka in the field of boxing officiating.
As the BASL Diversity Chairperson, Shiromala has long been a champion for fair play and athlete development. Yet, this ongoing effort to discredit her appears to be part of a larger scheme to remove her from boxing governance and silence those advocating for change.
Despite this, Shiromala remains steadfast in her mission to serve as a Technical Official at the 2028 Olympics and ensure Sri Lankan athletes continue to compete on the world stage.
“This orchestrated attack will not deter me from standing up for what is right. I remain committed to ensuring Sri Lanka’s rightful place in international boxing,” she declared.
The Sri Lankan government and sports authorities must now act swiftly to ensure that Sri Lanka’s athletes are not the ones who suffer due to the petty politics of a few individuals.
The choice is clear, align with World Boxing or risk being left behind in international competition.
