Warrants current Director General Dr. Shemal’s immediate suspension until investigation is complete
An almost decade-old cold case has resurfaced, implicating key figures within Sri Lanka’s sports administration in a shocking arms smuggling operation. Allegations suggest that a cache of arms and ammunition, valued at approximately Rs.10 million, was imported under the guise of sports equipment for the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) and later sold privately. This revelation not only raises concerns about corruption but also poses a critical question: who purchased these weapons, and where are they now?
A National Security Threat
The implications of these allegations extend far beyond the realm of sports. The unaccounted-for arms and ammunition represent a potential threat to public safety and national security, necessitating immediate intervention by the Ministry of Defense. The accountability of those involved, as well as the possible recipients of these weapons, remains unknown, creating a dangerous situation that demands urgent attention.
High-Profile Figures Implicated
At the center of the controversy is Shirantha Peiris, a current member of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) and a former member of the NSSF. Peiris is accused of importing arms and ammunition using falsified documents and receipts. An inquiry into the matter was launched in 2018 under the directive of the Ministry of Defense, following an order from the then Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekara. However, the investigation was inexplicably shelved shortly after its initiation. Notably, the President of the NSSF at that time was the current Director General Sports Development Dr. Shemal Fernando, who himself was summoned along with Shirantha Peiris and two other officials for the inquiry. Even the DG Dr.Fernando currently holding onto a position appointed by the former Ranil Wickremesinghe regime when Harin Fernando was the Minister of Sports raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Allegations of Corruption and Abuse of Funds
Shirantha Peiris is further embroiled in allegations of misusing $10,000 from Olympic Solidarity Funds, purportedly to upgrade his private rifle shooting range. This misuse of funds underscores a pattern of corruption within the NOCSL, where Peiris is alleged to wield significant influence.
Dr. Shemal Fernando, who has been linked to Peiris, has also faced accusations of benefitting from corrupt practices at the NOCSL. Reports suggest that Fernando received lavish hampers from NOCSL officials accused of bribery, a matter that warrants immediate investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
A Crisis of Governance
The newly appointed Minister of Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, now faces the daunting task of addressing these grave allegations. The Ministry of Sports is under scrutiny for harboring officials who not only flout the country’s sports laws but also undermine governance through corrupt practices. Many NOCSL officials, including those implicated in this case, are alleged to be in direct violation of Sri Lanka’s Sports Law, yet they continue to hold office with impunity.
A Call for Immediate Action
This case is a stark reminder of the urgent need to reform Sri Lanka’s sports administration and enforce accountability at the highest levels. The re-emergence of these allegations underscores the necessity for a thorough and independent investigation, involving both the Ministry of Defense and CIABOC, to uncover the truth and ensure justice.
The stakes are high. This is not just about financial fraud or procedural lapses, it’s about safeguarding national security and restoring trust in the institutions meant to serve the public and promote sports in Sri Lanka. Minister Gamage’s response to these revelations will determine the future credibility of the country’s sports administration.
The time for action is now. The longer these issues remain unaddressed, the greater the risk to public safety and the integrity of Sri Lanka’s sports sector.
