Corruption Plagues Sri Lanka’s Olympic Dreams: NOCSL Officials Under Fire

As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Sri Lanka’s representation is starkly minimal, with only four qualifiers and two wild card entries. This disappointing turnout underscores the severe decline in Sri Lankan sports over the years. Sri Lanka, which has won only two Olympic silver medals in its history, now faces a critical juncture as corruption and mismanagement plague its National Olympic Committee (NOCSL).

Once a formidable force in cricket, having won two world cups, and nearly reaching the top three status in Asia in rugby, the nation’s current standing in these sports has also taken a significant nosedive. Both cricket and rugby are now mere shadows of their former glory, leaving only fond memories of the past for fans to cling to.

A Legacy of Corruption

For years, certain officials attached to the NOCSL have been embroiled in controversy, with numerous cases of fraud, corruption, and even human smuggling being reported. Key figures such as Secretary General Maxwell De Silva and Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe have been at the center of these allegations. De Silva, despite being found guilty of embezzling $10,000 from the Ministry of Sports during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, continues to hold his position, manipulating the system to avoid accountability. He has been accused of receiving kickbacks, accepting bribes, and misusing funds, yet remains untouchable due to his influence and personal connections made over the years.

Sec.General De Silva’s Wimbledon Umbrella Incident 

De Silva’s notorious actions include taking a non-NOCSL female accomplice named Gayathrie to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, where he was infamously captured by the BBC opening an umbrella to shade himself and his companion from the sun. This scene became a laughing matter, reminiscent of lovers often seen at Galle Face Green. Additionally, his travels to official global events, such as the Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar, often included the same female as his lady chaperone from his days as a clerk at Maersk Shipping, further demonstrating his disregard for ethical conduct.

Jayasinghe’s Dubious Past

Meanwhile, NOCSL Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe, who lacks the qualifications required for his position according to the country’s Sports Law, has been implicated in various fraudulent activities, working hand in glove with Secretary General De Silva. Known for his connections within government ministries and departments, Jayasinghe has helped shield himself and De Silva from legal repercussions. His dubious past includes being a commissioner during the infamous 2012 Welikada Prison riots, where he allegedly built a network of influential contacts to protect his and their interests. A prisoner named ‘Potta’ Naufer, incarcerated for killing a famous judge, is said to have even provided him funding for an overseas trip to Thailand. The 2012 prison riots, which resulted in the deaths of numerous inmates, remain a dark chapter in Sri Lanka’s history, with Jayasinghe’s role still under scrutiny.

Fabricated Sports Associations

Together, De Silva and Jayasinghe have allegedly formed fake sports associations to siphon funds and create fictitious sponsorship deals. This corruption extends to other officials, including Vice President Suranjith Premadasa and Media Manager Gobinath Sivarajah, who have been accused of prioritizing personal gain over the development of sports in Sri Lanka. Scholarships and funds meant for deserving athletes are misallocated, and Olympic-provided funds are diverted to line the pockets of these corrupt officials.

Ignored Calls for Accountability

The call for a forensic financial audit of the NOCSL has been consistently ignored, allowing corruption to thrive. The lack of transparency and accountability has led to a decline in Sri Lanka’s sporting achievements, with the nation struggling to produce Olympic champions. The conducting of a forensic audit was a subject brought up, discussed and approved to be conducted way back at the NOCSL AGM in 2021, but quite mysteriously has been shelved ever since.

Sec.General De Silva and Nishantha Piyasena’s Master Plan

The latest news emerging from within the walls of the NOCSL reveals a campaign to stake claims at the next AGM, scheduled for 2026. Secretary General Maxwell De Silva is scheming to occupy the President’s seat, while one of his cohorts, Modern Pentathlon President Nishantha Piyasena, is being groomed to take over De Silva’s current position. However, Piyasena’s record is not without blemishes; he was once embroiled in a sex scandal involving a female athlete while on tour as a Chef-de-Mission at the South Asian Winter Games during Hemasiri Fernando’s tenure as President at the NOCSL. This case was supposedly hushed up with the intervention of Secretary General Maxwell De Silva, who used his influence to make her an administrator in the swimming association and eventually facilitated her move to Australia to silence the matter.  

Ministry of Sports’ Complicity

However, there are many paper sport associations in existence with barely any activities taking place. These posts are held onto as their vote at the AGM is vital for those seeking election. Officials at the Ministry of Sports continue to turn a blind eye despite much evidence in hand due to blatant violations of the country’s sports law taking place. It has been reported that several officials attached to the Ministry of Sports have been receiving kickbacks from these NOCSL officials in the form of overseas trips and lavish hampers. Even the current Director General of the Ministry of Sports, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Prof. Shemal Fernando, is listed as receiving an expensive hamper. Just a few days ago, Director General Fernando was booed by those attending the Sri Lanka National Sports Festival for conducting a poorly organized event.

The Urgent Need for Reform

Corruption seems rampant all around, and one of the biggest jokes doing the rounds is that the current NOCSL Secretary General De Silva is perhaps the only official to bribe those attached to the Bribery Commission, resulting in several cases filed there simply gathering dust while multiple investigations continue to get postponed indefinitely.To restore integrity and excellence in Sri Lankan sports, it is imperative that the NOCSL undergoes a thorough cleansing. The authorities must hold those responsible for corruption accountable and ensure that funds and resources are directed towards genuinely deserving athletes. Until these systemic issues are addressed, Sri Lanka’s hopes for Olympic glory will remain a distant dream. The time for change is now, and the future of Sri Lankan sports depends on it.