A formal complaint questioning missing audited accounts, a disputed foreign-funding entry and more than Rs.144 million in reported expenditure has intensified calls for an immediate investigation into the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka.
Sports Minister Urged to Exercise Greater Caution
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage now faces an important responsibility as serious questions continue to emerge concerning the financial administration and governance of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka.
There is no suggestion that the Minister is personally involved in any alleged irregularity.
However, it is becoming increasingly evident that he may have been given assurances creating the impression that all is well within the Association, despite documents and formal complaints suggesting that several matters require closer scrutiny.
Given his financial background, the Minister is well placed to recognise the importance of proper accounting, timely audits and transparent management of foreign funding.
He must therefore proceed cautiously and ensure that information reaching his office is independently verified rather than relying solely on explanations provided by Association officials.
Formal Complaint Submitted to Auditor General
The controversy escalated after Westgate Boxing Club submitted a formal complaint dated June 1, 2026, to Auditor General L. S. I. Jayarathna.
The letter was signed by Dian Gomes, President of Westgate Boxing Club, a former President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka and a Director of the International Boxing Association.
Copies were also sent to the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Ministry Secretary and the Ministry’s Audit Superintendent.
The complaint requests a detailed audit of the Association’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025.
It raises concerns regarding the failure to present audited accounts at the Annual General Meeting, a substantial entry described as accommodation fees received from the Asian Boxing Association and more than Rs.144 million recorded as related expenditure.
AGM Held Without Certified Accounts
According to the complaint, BASL held its Annual General Meeting on May 29, 2026, without presenting financial statements certified by the Auditor General’s Department for the previous financial year.
The letter states that the Association did not submit its draft accounts by February 28, 2026, the stipulated deadline for forwarding accounts for audit.
Consequently, the audit was reportedly not completed in time for the AGM.
This meant that member clubs participated in the annual meeting without access to a completed independent assessment of the Association’s financial position.
BASL has maintained that the incomplete audit did not prevent the AGM from proceeding.
However, the concern raised by the complaint is not limited to whether the meeting was legally permitted.
It is also whether members were provided with sufficient, verified financial information before decisions were taken.
Rs.137 Million Entry Raises Serious Questions
The most significant issue concerns an amount of Rs.137,328,063 reportedly recorded in the draft accounts as accommodation fees received from the Asian Boxing Association.
Gomes states in the complaint that he had been informed the Asian Boxing Association provided only US$100,000 to BASL.
The apparent difference between the reported grant and the amount reflected in the draft statements requires a clear explanation.
The discrepancy does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing.
However, it warrants a detailed examination of whether the Rs.137.3 million represented money actually received, a receivable, reimbursement, combined event income or another type of accounting entry.
Source and Purpose of Funds Must Be Verified
The Auditor General should determine the precise source of the amount recorded in the accounts.
Investigators should establish when the funds were received, in what currency, through which bank and under what written agreement.
If the Asian Boxing Association transferred only US$100,000, BASL should explain whether the remaining figure came from event participants, accommodation charges, sponsorships, reimbursements or other sources.
All grant agreements, invoices, remittance records, bank statements, event registration documents and related correspondence should be examined.
The audit should also verify whether all procedures governing the receipt and declaration of foreign funds were followed.
Rs.144.7 Million Recorded as ASBC Expenses
The complaint separately refers to Rs.144,752,698 recorded as ASBC expenses in the Income and Expenditure Statement.
It requests that the Auditor General examine how this money was spent and whether the expenditure is supported by valid documentation.
A proper audit should review invoices, hotel contracts, procurement records, payment vouchers, bank transfers and approval documents connected to the entry.
It should also identify who approved the payments and whether the relevant financial and procurement procedures were followed.
Financial Entries Require Full Reconciliation
The relationship between the Rs.137.3 million recorded as accommodation-related income or receivables and the Rs.144.7 million recorded as ASBC expenditure must be reconciled.
Auditors should determine whether the two entries relate to the same tournament or event and whether expenditure exceeded the amount received.
If BASL covered any shortfall, the source of that additional funding should be identified.
The final audit must clearly establish how much money entered the Association’s accounts, where it came from, what it was intended for and how it was ultimately spent.
No Conclusion Should Precede the Audit
The unusual figures have inevitably generated public suspicion and questions about the possibility of undeclared or unexplained funds passing through the Association.
There is currently no publicly established evidence proving money laundering or any other criminal offence.
Such an allegation must not be treated as fact without documentary and investigative proof.
Nevertheless, the scale of the transactions makes it essential for every substantial inward and outward payment to be traced.
Any transaction lacking a legitimate source, clear sporting purpose or supporting documentation should be referred to the appropriate financial or law-enforcement authority.
Honorary Consular Role Adds Need for Transparency
BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara is also publicly associated with an honorary consular role connected to Guinea.
That position does not imply misconduct.
However, it strengthens the public-interest case for complete transparency where international transfers, foreign organisations and cross-border financial relationships are concerned.
The audit should determine whether any BASL transaction involved entities or banking channels outside the declared scope of Asian boxing activities.
Any potential overlap involving private business interests, diplomatic responsibilities and Association administration should also be disclosed and examined.
Athletes Asked to Finance National Representation
The financial controversy has attracted further attention because boxers selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Under-23 Championship in Jakarta have reportedly been asked to fund their own participation.
Former Thomian captain and Stubbs Shield winner Anuk de Silva received confirmation of his selection but was required to seek approximately Rs.795,650 in sponsorship for accommodation, airfare and visa costs.
This has created an important question about the Association’s financial priorities.
If substantial sums are being received and spent in connection with international boxing activities, why are selected national athletes being asked to raise relatively modest amounts privately to compete under the Sri Lankan flag?
BASL should clarify its funding policy and explain how it determines which athletes and officials receive financial support.
Delegation Funding Must Be Disclosed
Questions have also been raised over whether officials travelling with the team will receive full funding while competitors are required to finance themselves.
The Association should publish the complete list of athletes, coaches and officials travelling to Jakarta.
It should disclose the role of each delegate and identify whether their travel, accommodation and other expenses are being paid by BASL, the Government, tournament organisers or private sponsors.
Such disclosure would allow the public to determine whether available funds are being prioritised appropriately.
Allegations Concerning a Coach Require Investigation
Separate allegations have been made regarding the past conduct of a person reportedly expected to travel in a coaching or official capacity.
It has been alleged that the individual was previously reprimanded over the alteration of young boxers’ birth records to enable them to compete in lower age categories.
These claims require independent verification and should not be treated as established fact without disciplinary records or official findings.
However, if an individual previously faced confirmed sanctions, BASL should explain the process by which that person was selected for a national assignment.
The Association should also disclose whether safeguarding, integrity and disciplinary checks were conducted before the appointment.
Auditor General Should Secure Financial Records
The complaint involves foreign transfers, substantial expenditure and electronic accounting records.
The Auditor General should therefore move quickly to preserve all relevant material.
Bank statements, accounting databases, emails, contracts, payment vouchers, invoices and correspondence with international boxing bodies should be secured.
The inquiry should cover all Association-controlled accounts, including any accounts created for tournaments, international events or special projects.
It should also establish whether money passed through affiliated clubs, companies, private accounts or third-party intermediaries.
Pertinent Questions Requiring Answers
The audit should determine whether Rs.137,328,063 was received and identify its exact source.
It should explain the relationship between that amount and the reported US$100,000 grant.
Investigators must verify whether foreign-funding procedures were followed and whether supporting documents are authentic and complete.
They must also establish how Rs.144,752,698 in ASBC expenses was utilised, who authorised the spending and whether any related parties benefited.
The audit should examine why the accounts were not submitted by the prescribed deadline and whether member clubs were given an accurate financial picture at the AGM.
It should further determine whether national athletes were denied funding while officials received Association-financed travel.
BASL Must Be Given an Opportunity to Explain
The Association and its President should be invited to respond fully to the complaint.
They should be permitted to produce bank statements, grant documents, audited records and explanations supporting the disputed entries.
BASL may be able to show that the Rs.137 million amount has been misunderstood, incorrectly classified or represents several sources of income combined under one heading.
A transparent, documented explanation would help resolve public suspicion.
However, continued delay or incomplete disclosure would only deepen concern.
Minister Must Ensure Independent Verification
The Minister of Sports should not be criticised merely for allowing due process to take its course.
Nevertheless, he must remain alert to the possibility that the assurances provided to him may not reflect the complete financial and administrative position within BASL.
The formal complaint offers the Ministry an opportunity to obtain independent answers through the Auditor General rather than relying on internal explanations.
The Minister should support a comprehensive audit, request regular progress reports and ensure that no official interferes with access to financial records.
Such action would protect both the credibility of his Ministry and the integrity of Sri Lankan boxing.
Complaint Cannot Be Treated as an Internal Rivalry
This matter should not be dismissed as a personal dispute between current and former boxing officials.
The complaint was submitted by a member club and signed by a former BASL President holding a senior position within international boxing.
More importantly, it identifies exact figures, deadlines and accounting entries that can be independently verified.
The Auditor General therefore has sufficient grounds to conduct a detailed examination based on documents rather than personalities or competing factions.
Sri Lankan Boxing Needs Clear Answers
Sri Lankan boxers continue to compete despite limited financial support and difficult institutional conditions.
They should not be burdened by uncertainty arising from disputed accounts or unclear spending priorities.
A swift and independent audit would determine whether the questioned funds were properly received, recorded and spent.
It would also allow the Sports Minister to act on verified findings and ensure that he is not being misled about the true state of the Association.
Until the accounts are fully examined, the Rs.137 million entry, the Rs.144.7 million expenditure and the lack of funding for selected national athletes will remain serious unanswered questions hanging over Sri Lankan boxing.
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