It has come to light that several officials of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka are in breach of the amended Sports Law, which mandates that an individual may only hold one position within a sports body, The Morning Telegraph can reveal today.
Despite this, these officials are actively seeking additional roles in various other sports associations, contravening the explicit legal framework established by the Sports Law Act No.25 of 1973. This situation raises significant concerns about governance and adherence to legal standards within Sri Lanka’s sports administration.
The Sports Law Act No.25 of 1973 – section (8) of Gazette No. 2310/26 dated 14/12/2022 – 5 (6) reads “a person;holding the position of President, secretary, Treasurer,Vice/Deputy President, Vice/Deputy Secretary, Vice/Deputy Treasurer in a National Association of sports, a District Association of Sports or affiliated Sports Club is disqualified to hold any other positions in his National Association of Sports, a Provincial Association of Sports, a District Association of Sports, Divisional Sports Club or affiliated Sports Club or any other National Association of Sports.”
Five officials attached to the NOCSL namely the Secretary General Maxwell De Silva, Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe, Media Manager Sivaraj Gopinath, Maintenance Manager Dinesh Krishantha and Committee Member Malinga Fernando are currently those in violation of this law.
Stated below are the positions that they currently hold in various sports associations:
Maxwell De Silva: Vice President (Teqball), Vice President (Modern Pentathlon), Vice President (Winter Sports – Ski & Snowboarding) and Asst.Treasurer (Judo Association)
Gamini Jayasinghe: President (Teqball), President (Modern Pentathlon), Vice President (Dance Sport), Vice President (Winter Sports – Ski & Snowboarding)
Sivaraj Gopinath: Project Manager (Teqball) and Secretary (Dance Sport)
Malinga Fernando: President (Dance Sport) and Vice President (Teqball)
Dinesh Krishantha: Auditor (Teqball) and Auditor (Dance Sport)
The Morning Telegraph reliably learns that the NOCSL Sec.General Maxwell De Silva has submitted his name for the post of Asst.Treasurer at the upcoming Wrestling Federation AGM scheduled to take place shortly.
Earlier the same such officials were exposed for creating Sport Associations such as Teqball, Dance Sports and Winter Sports (Ski & Snowboarding) that remained dormant whilst the same said officials kept collecting funds from international bodies and well wishes.
Dance Sport is currently suspended by the Ministry of Sports, whilst the International Federation for Teqball (FITEQ) has also suspended the Teqball Federation of Sri Lanka, after its recent exposure by The Morning Telegraph.
The FITEQ has now instructed the NOCSL to conduct an investigation, especially as the Teqball Federation of Sri Lanka was made up of its own Executive Committee Members. Allegations have been levelled that funds, thousands in Euros that were sent from overseas for the development and promotion of the sport, had eventually made its way into private accounts. Further, investigations are being carried out into its inactivity and non-participation at events.
The Morning Telegraph also reliably learns that certain members of the NOCSL Executive Committee had delivered gift hampers varying from approximately US $ 200 to US $ 500 to the homes of key figures within the Ministry of Sports and also other influential individuals.
Whilst the distribution of hampers is much against the Olympic Charter it could also be construed as a bribe in safeguarding and shielding their existence.
Hampers were sent to the following individuals: Shamal Fernando, Anura Jayawickrama, S.Wirithamulla, P.Keerthinanda,S.Ranukge,R.M.C.Ratnayake,S.Liyanagama,K.Ruwanchandra,Prema Pinnawala, Kapila Kumarasinghe, Siri Alwis.
Meanwhile, multiple investigations are currently underway regarding accusations of fraud, corruption, and even human smuggling against specific NOCSL officials.
One such case against Sec. General Maxwell De Silva, already submitted for review to the Attorney General’s Department by the Special Investigations Unit attached to the Ministry of Sports, is still awaiting a decision.
Links to previously published stories:
EXPOSE: More Scandalous Acts Committed By NOCSL Ex-Co Officials – (themorningtelegraph.com)
Two NOCSL Ex-Co Members Resign & Flee After Being Exposed – (themorningtelegraph.com)
NOCSL Secretary General Maxwell accused of stealing – again! – (themorningtelegraph.com)
Attorney General’s Department Exposed For Shielding Crooks – (themorningtelegraph.com)
EXPOSE: International Teqball Federation Suspends Sri Lanka’s Membership – (themorningtelegraph.com)
IOC investigates Maxi over controversial OCA Election – (themorningtelegraph.com)
