The newly appointed Minister of Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, faces an urgent and critical challenge in addressing rampant corruption within the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL). His intervention is crucial as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) tightens its scrutiny, having already suspended funding to India’s National Olympic Committee in October 2024 for internal conflicts. With similar issues plaguing Sri Lanka, the country risks severe penalties, including suspension, if reforms are not swiftly enacted.
Corruption and Mismanagement at the NOCSL
At the heart of the crisis is Secretary General Maxwell De Silva, who has refused to accept his suspension by the NOCSL’s Ethics Committee. This suspension followed a Ministry of Sports inquiry that exposed extensive fraud, corruption, and even cases of human smuggling under De Silva’s leadership. Despite endorsements of the Ethics Committee’s findings by both the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia, De Silva continues to hold onto power, supported by other embattled officials.
The report detailing these allegations, initially suppressed by former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando and his legal advisor Chandimal Mendis, only came to light after Fernando’s removal from office. De Silva allegedly rewarded Mendis with an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics for his role in delaying the report. This particular act of suppressing this said report under the watch of the former Minister Harin Fernando and his legal advisor Mendis has even created mistrust between the IOC and AOC.
Now, Sri Lanka faces mounting pressure to act on the Ethics Committee’s recommendations or face severe consequences from the IOC.
A Web of Scandals
The NOCSL’s current Executive Committee is a rogues’ gallery of officials implicated in scandals:
Maxwell De Silva: Secretary General
- Human Smuggling: Allegations of using international events to illegally smuggle individuals.
- Misappropriation of Funds: Accused of claiming $10,000 for expenses already covered by the IOC during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Delaying Justice: Critics allege De Silva has used his influence and possible bribes to stall investigations into his financial misconduct. Even officials attached to the Attorney General’s Department are now being frowned upon by the public for their delay in providing instructions to proceed in officially arresting the Sec.Gen De Silva.
Gamini Jayasinghe: Treasurer
- Fraudulent Delegations: Allowed unauthorized individuals to attend the 2022 Commonwealth Games, leading to absconding incidents and global embarrassment.
- Questionable Associations: Alleged ties to notorious criminal figures like ‘Potta Naufer,’ who reportedly financed his foreign trips.
- Not qualified to hold the post: Reported to hold no credentials to hold the post of Treasurer.
Suranjith Premadasa: Vice President
- Misuse of Solidarity Funds: Accused of pocketing $10,000 intended for sports development projects and using it for personal ventures.
- Sports Law Violations: Operates private businesses tied to sports associations he oversees, which against the country’s Sports Law.
Kanchan Jayaratne: Vice President
* Currently under investigation for corruption allegations linked to the COVID-19 pandemic during the tenure of his wife, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, as Minister of Health, he has faced serious scrutiny. A former Police Constable turned Provincial Councillor, he has also been accused of multiple misconducts and abuses of power.
Chandana Liyanage: Assistant Secretary
- Embezzlement: Allegedly dismissed by two prominent employers for financial fraud.
- Inaction on Corruption: Fails to address the widespread misconduct within the NOCSL and works in tandem with De Silva pocketing commissions from procurement deals. US $ 30,000 funds received for purchase of an I.T System to maintain a database for athletes has gone unaccounted.
Shirantha Peries: Member
- Weapons Smuggling: Under investigation for illegally importing and selling arms under the guise of the Rifle Shooting Federation.
- Misuse of Funds: Accused of using Olympic Solidarity funds to enhance his private shooting range. Peries is under investigation for importing weapons and ammunition under the guise of the Rifle Shooting Federation and allegedly selling them privately. His investigation into this incident in 2018 has been suppressed ever since and he has now aligned himself closely with the current NPP government regime who has incidentally appointed him as the Chairman of the Lotus Tower. Many believe that perhaps the NPP officials were unaware that his involvement in committing acts of financial fraud was made known to them.
Niluka Karunaratne: Member
- Funds Siphoning: Karunaratne along with Raiska Udugampola (a extremely close associate of Sec.Gen De Silva) is accused of allegedly siphoning $10,000 from funds meant for Olympic athlete development, claiming it was for teaching English to athletes a program for which no evidence exists.
Ruwan Alahakoon: Member
- Sports Law Violations: Liyanage has been accused of violating Sri Lanka’s Sports Law by holding multiple conflicting roles, including his position as Secretary of the Taekwondo Association and a coach at the University of Kelaniya. He has been asked to resign with immediate effect after his violation of the Sports Law was made public. However he too is yet to resign.
The Fallout
The actions of these officials have had devastating consequences for Sri Lankan sports:
- Athletes Deprived: Administrative failures have denied athletes the opportunity to compete internationally, with some forced to participate under the IOC flag instead of Sri Lanka’s national flag.
- Global Embarrassment: Unauthorized delegations, absconding athletes, and misappropriated funds have repeatedly tarnished Sri Lanka’s reputation.
- Erosion of Trust: Stakeholders, sponsors, and fans have lost confidence in the NOCSL, undermining support for sports development.
Delayed Forensic Audit: A forensic audit was called for and approved to be conducted at the 2021 AGM by NOCSL member Sports Associations. However this has been stalled. Even recently a report was sent asking for explanation regarding several computers that were purchased during the Covid -19 pandemic on the basis of being distributed to Sports Associations to conduct zoom meetings.
A Call to Action
The persistence of these officials, despite overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, underscores the urgent need for reform. All relevant Sports Associations must in fact support the newly elected government to take decisive action to remove these individuals and restore credibility to Sri Lanka’s Olympic Committee.
Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has already made strides in stabilizing other sporting bodies. However, addressing the entrenched corruption within the NOCSL will be his ultimate test. The country’s athletes, stakeholders, and fans deserve better. It’s time to wipe out the rogues, rebuild trust, and pave the way for a transparent and accountable sports administration. The clock is ticking, and the moment for change is now.
