Approval of selected participant raises questions as no Selection Committee approved by Ministry of Sports
Some claim participant is a relative of suspended NOC Sec.Gen Maxwell De Silva
Despite the ongoing suspension of Maxwell De Silva, the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), his trusted allies within the NOCSL Executive Committee continue to operate unchecked, allegedly engaging in the same dubious practices that have plagued Sri Lankan sports administration for years. Key figures such as Assistant Secretary Chandana Liyanage, Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe, Vice Presidents Suranjith Premadasa and Kanchana Jayaratne, along with Assistant Treasurer Shirantha Peiris, remain at the helm, enabling a culture of corruption and misuse of public funds.
A formal protest has been lodged by M.H. Usuph, a concerned parent and a victim of collusion and corruption, highlighting the latest attempt to misuse public funds. His complaint, submitted to the Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Ministry Secretary A.H.M.U. Anura Bandara, details the ongoing scandal involving the so-called Sri Lanka Ski & Snowboarding Federation formerly known as the Sri Lanka Winter Sports Association.
Corrupt Practices in the Winter Sports Federation
The protest exposes that the Winter Sports Federation is allegedly being manipulated by the suspended Maxwell De Silva, despite his removal from official duties. This National Sports Federation was previously banned due to corruption allegations against its former secretary, Gihan Dalperthardo, yet it continues to operate under a different name, circumventing past sanctions.
The complaint raises multiple concerns:
- The Federation is not registered with the Department of Sports Development or the Ministry of Youth & Sports.
- It lacks an approved selection committee by the Ministry, making its athlete selection process highly questionable.
- No transparent selection criteria have been followed in choosing athletes for international competitions.
- A bribery case is currently pending against the Federation, yet it continues to function without oversight.
- No financial reports have been submitted to the Auditor General, raising concerns about financial mismanagement.
Government Funds for a ‘Joy Ride’?
The complaint highlights a brazen attempt to secure government funding for what is alleged to be a luxury trip under the guise of an international competition. According to Usuph, a request has been made for state sponsorship for Sajeev De Silva, a relative of Maxwell De Silva, and other individuals. The protest claims:
- Sajeev De Silva has previously traveled on public funds without producing any notable results or medals in winter sports.
- He is unlikely to have any medal prospects in the upcoming international competition.
- His real motive may be to further his private Tea Export business, using government-funded travel opportunities.
Foreign Athletes and Alleged Bribery
The complaint further alleges that Maxwell De Silva has repeatedly entered foreign athletes into Sri Lankan teams, even when they were not Sri Lankan citizens and had no chance of winning medals. It is strongly suspected that bribes were involved in these selections, further reinforcing the lack of credibility in the Federation’s operations.
Collusion Within the Department of Sports Development
The protest also implicates senior officials within the Department of Sports Development, suggesting they have actively aided and abetted corruption by granting undue approvals. Specific officials under suspicion include:
- Director of Sports, I.P. Wijerathna
- Director General, Shermal Fernando
- Assistant Director in charge of Sports Federations
Usuph claims to have evidence proving that I.P. Wijeyrathna colluded with Maxwell De Silva to manipulate athlete eligibility for international competitions, allowing disqualified individuals to represent Sri Lanka.
Call for Immediate Action
In his protest letter, M.H. Usuph urges authorities to investigate these corrupt practices immediately, ensuring that taxpayer money is not misused for the personal benefit of a select few. The letter calls for strict action against all officials involved and demands greater accountability in sports administration to protect the integrity of Sri Lankan athletics.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on the Ministry of Youth & Sports to see whether meaningful action will be taken or if this latest scandal will be yet another case of corruption swept under the rug while De Silva’s allies continue their unchecked reign at NOCSL.
