Two of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious and historically respected educational institutions, Royal College and S. Thomas’ College, have found themselves mired in controversy following a damning exposé linked to the junior water polo Mahinda Liyanage Challenge Trophy. The trophy, named after Mahinda Liyanage, an individual now widely associated with allegations of corruption, misconduct, and fraudulent behavior within the country’s sporting landscape continues to be awarded despite these serious committed acts.
While the senior teams from both colleges vie for the respected Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy since 1992, their Under-15 squads are still knowingly contesting a title bearing the name of a disgraced figure, raising serious questions about oversight and accountability.
What began as a tradition rooted in school spirit has turned into a public relations embarrassment, with widespread calls for the immediate renaming of the trophy that has been presented since 1998. The revelations concerning Mahinda Liyanage’s tainted recent past now raises urgent questions about oversight and the values these storied institutions wish to uphold. Several respected old boys from both schools have voiced serious concern stating that the trophy must be renamed immediately.
Stern disciplinary and criminal action, including a lifetime ban, that is long overdue is now being demanded against Mahinda Liyanage, whose repeated violations of Sri Lanka’s Sports Law have been laid bare in what appears to be a long-standing pattern of deception.
According to official records, Liyanage continued to illegally and unlawfully hold office as President of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), defying a formal ban issued by the Department of Sports Development on 31 October 2018. On 11 December 2018, the Ministry of Sports removed him and other office bearers for breaching the Sports Law Act No. 25 of 1973. In addition a one-year ban followed in February 2019, forbidding him from serving in any capacity within any national federation or sports body.
Caption: Letter Banning Mahinda Liyanage for One Year
Mahinda Liyanage was banned for one year by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports due to misconduct over the National Diving Championship in 2018. His actions were found to have violated the Sports Law Act No. 25 of 1973, leading to his disqualification from holding any position paid or unpaid in any National Sports Association or Member Association. The ban was part of a broader disciplinary effort by the Department of Sports Development to enforce ethical conduct and accountability within Sri Lanka’s sports administration.
Despite these sanctions, Mahinda Liyanage premeditatedly deceived the Ministry of Sports further by concealing his identity, registering himself as “M. Liyanage” to gain access to international events, including the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal. However, once the National Sports Selection Committee identified the breach, Director General Dhammika Muthugala immediately ordered his recall from the event. This incident, along with a formal complaint submitted to the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports-Related Offenses, has astonishingly been ignored for over six years.
Liyanage is said to have reportedly received covert backing from the ousted Secretary General Maxwell De Silva of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) and officials from the National Triathlon Federation, who failed to send him back despite being flagged to do so. Chef de Mission Major General (Rtd) Dampath Fernando, who also failed to intervene despite been on the same tour. Evidence further suggests that Maxwell De Silva, the currently suspended Secretary General of the NOCSL, had long shielded Liyanage, enabling his disregard for regulations. Critics argue that this alliance fostered a culture of impunity, allowing Liyanage to behave as though above the law. Major General (Rtd) Dampath Fernando was subsequently banned by the Ministry of Sports from holding office in any sports association, while Maxwell De Silva is now serving a five-year suspension imposed by the NOCSL.
Caption: Letter issued by the Department of Sports Development declaring Mahinda Liyanage ineligible to contest for any position within the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU).
Further to all these scandals, it was in 2014, Mahinda Liyanage, who had been appointed as the swimming coach of S. Thomas’ College by then-Warden Indra De Soyza, brought disrepute to the school after being involved in a violent incident during a swimming meet at Sugathadasa Stadium. Along with an accomplice, Liyanage assaulted a fellow Thomian staff member named Kumara, who was also serving as the coach for two girls’ school teams participating in the same event. The incident was reported to the Grandpass Police Station and filed under CIB 179/290.
The Daily Mirror covered the story in an article titled “Top School Swim Coaches in Major Brawl at Relay Carnival,” where Warden De Soyza described the episode as unfortunate, stating that no one deserves to be assaulted. A witness quoted in the report said, “The hitting, thumping, and kicking that Kumara got was ruthless and brutal, leaving spectators stunned.” According to the report, Liyanage fled the scene just as a police mobile patrol arrived, but was later summoned to the Grandpass Police Station for questioning.
The following demands now call for the complete removal and prosecution for criminal offenses in a court of law, including:
A full independent inquiry into the matter under the Sports Law and Penal Code.
Recovery of all costs incurred by the Ministry of Sports due to his participation.
A lifetime ban on Liyanage from any involvement – paid or unpaid – in sports bodies under the Sri Lankan flag.
Disciplinary action against the Secretary of the NOCSL and the National Triathlon Federation.
Sanctions against Ministry of Sports officials who failed to enforce the ban.
Criminal legal proceedings against all involved for misuse of public resources.
As pressure mounts, it is now being asked why such a prestigious inter-school competition continues to bear the name of a disgraced sports figure. Both Royal and S. Thomas’ colleges are being urged by alumni, students, and sports officials to urgently rename the junior trophy in a manner that aligns with their rich legacies of honour, integrity, and sportsmanship.
This is no longer just a matter of oversight – it is a test of institutional responsibility and ethical clarity.
- This is an ongoing investigation, with both Royal College and S. Thomas’ College authorities having been contacted for comment. The Morning Telegraph holds further documentary evidence related to multiple actions allegedly committed by Mahinda Liyanage, which will be revealed in forthcoming reports.
