Maxwell De Silva, the General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), faced a significant setback as his attempt to send Media Manager Sivarajah Gopinath to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was thwarted by the Ministry of Sports. The Ministry rejected Gopinath’s name from the list of attendees for the upcoming games, following the usual procedure of approving athletes, support staff, and officials.
Background of the Fraud Case
Gopinath Sivarajah, along with NOCSL Sec. General De Silva and other NOCSL members, are currently embroiled in a fraud case filed by the Fraud Bureau in Sri Lankan courts. The case has raised serious allegations of corruption within the NOCSL.
Previous Escape Attempt
Sivarajah’s first attempt to flee the country was blocked by Immigration and Emigration officials at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport on May 27, 2024, due to a travel ban. He was detained, produced in court, and remanded at Welikada Prison in Colombo. After more than two weeks, Sivarajah managed to obtain bail and was released while the case is still ongoing.
Allegations of Forgery and Blackmail
While serving as the Media Manager of the NOCSL, Sivarajah also held the position of Secretary of Dance Sport Sri Lanka. He is under investigation for allegedly forging a document with false information and the signature of Dance Sport Sri Lanka President Malinga Fernando to fraudulently obtain a sponsorship of Rs. 800,000 from a businessman who was reportedly blackmailed.
Masterminds Behind the Fraud
Many believe Sivarajah is being used as a pawn by two other officials from the National Olympic Committee, Maxwell De Silva and Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe. These officials are alleged to be the masterminds behind this case and several other acts of corruption, fraud, racketeering, forgery, and human smuggling. Despite some cases resulting in guilty verdicts, a culture of corruption among officials often leads to prolonged investigations.
Court Proceedings and Admissions
After spending 22 days in remand, Sivarajah was granted bail on June 19, 2024. He faces charges of making and using a forged document, offenses punishable under sections 454, 457, and 459 of the penal code. The case has raised questions about Malinga Fernando’s role, as he acknowledged the request for Rs. 800,000 but claimed the signature on the document was not his. Interestingly, Fernando has not been produced in court or named as a suspect, raising suspicions about his involvement.
Intrigue and Legal Questions
The Managing Director of Fortune Entertainment Private Limited, Zhang Hong, complied with the Rs. 800,000 request, adding another layer of intrigue to the case. The legal proceedings and the lack of charges against Malinga Fernando have raised eyebrows and questions about the integrity of the investigation.
Unaddressed Legal Instructions
Adding to the controversy, questions have arisen about why the Sports Ministry Officials and the Department of Sports Development failed to timely enforce the Attorney General’s instructions to take legal action against Mahinda Liyanage, the Diving Coach cum Secretary of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union. The Attorney General’s department had issued instructions on April 17, 2023, to take legal action against Liyanage. If enforced, this would have led to a ban on Liyanage and Maxwell De Silva from holding any paid, unpaid, or voluntary position in any sports body in Sri Lanka due to their involvement in acts of treason and corruption.
The situation highlights the need for transparent and accountable governance within Sri Lanka’s sports organizations, free from corruption and political interference.
