In 2014, Secretary General Maxwell de Silva and Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) decided to set aside a modest sum of US $30,000 that was received from the Olympic Solidarity Fund to develop a database for Sri Lankan athletes, a seemingly noble endeavor.
But here’s where the real trick unfolds: The contract for this so-called groundbreaking project was handed to a U.S. based company that had neither the experience nor the expertise to handle such a task. Maxwell de Silva, in his infinite wisdom, flew the company’s representative to Sri Lanka, confidently claiming that despite his glaring lack of qualifications, he was more than capable of executing the project. Coincidentally, this company just happened to be owned by a close friend of Secretary General Maxwell de Silva. In true Maxwell fashion, he conveniently bypassed the bothersome tender process. The entire US $30,000 was swiftly handed over to this friendly company, and—no surprise here—nothing has materialized to this day.
These IOC Solidarity funds, intended to create a database in order to enhance the quality and standards of our athletes, were instead funneled into this questionable venture. Maxwell de Silva, who somehow held the position of President of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association despite the SLTA Claiming now that they have no records of De Silva ever participating at any event that qualifies him to hold such a post was also involved with Dance Sport and Teqball two associations that are now suspended due to allegations of committed fraud. Additionally, he served as Assistant Treasurer of the Judo Association and even attempted to snag the same role in the Wrestling Federation, only to be shunned by the committee for his notorious book-cooking skills. Holding of multiple positions in seveal sports associations is also a violation of the country’s sorts law, a fact that Maxwell de Silva has always been very well aware.
It gets better. The NOCSL’s Finance Committee, ever vigilant, was apparently aware that the project was questionable from the get-go.
But fear not! Maxwell, in all his wisdom, assured them that a follow-up report would be forthcoming. That report has yet to see the light of day.
Meanwhile, the US $30,000 has vanished into the same abyss where many questionable funds seem to have disappeared over a period of time.
Then, in 2019, Maxwell, with a little help from his trusty sidekick, Finance Co-Chairman Lalith Withana, decided to discreetly write off the entire the US $30,000.
No investigation, no questions, just a clean slate. Even sum documents to this effect also mysteriously disappeared.
Relevent page that refers to the US $ 30,000 mentioned in the Auditor General’s Report
The Auditor General, however, had raised concerns about this, wondering why the necessary tendering procedures were so casually ignored. But really, who needs transparency when you have Maxwell’s magic at work?
But wait, there’s more! Maxwell’s sleight of hand isn’t limited to just one disappearing act. Let’s not forget his earlier trick of making an exercise bicycle, meant for athletes, mysteriously vanished from the NOCSL gymnasium only to reappear at his own residence.
More details on the famous Rio 2016 scandal that involved Maxwell De Silva
And as if that weren’t enough, we have the infamous Rio 2016 scandal, where Maxwell borrowed US $10,000 from the Ministry of Sports, promising to repay it once they received a grant from the IOC.
He did receive the grant, but returning the loan? That slipped his mind until an audit 18 months later forced his hand.
During the Rio 2016 Olympics, Maxwell, ever the family man, brought along his daughter as the Liaison Officer for the Sri Lankan contingent and his wife for moral support. They stayed at a luxurious hotel, far from the athletes’ village, at $500 per night. As the Chef de Mission De Silva had an obligation to stay at the athletes village in close proximity to the athletes.
But here’s the kicker – De Silva double-dipped, pocketing multiple claims for the same room and airfare, despite already receiving funds from the Ministry of Sports, the IOC, and even submitting the same claims to the NOCSL.
Maxwell also ensured that his daughter pocketed an extra $100 per day for her “services” as the Liaison Officer. Of course, only the powers above could possibly know what those services entailed, who exactly she liaised with, and in what language, especially in Brazil, where a whopping 98% of the population speaks Portuguese. Must have been quite the linguistic adventure!
Upon returning to Sri Lanka, Maxwell submitted an eye-popping expense claim for Rs 2,731,818.62 – because nothing demonstrates commitment quite like racking up a hefty bill.
Summary of NOCSL Sec.General Maxwell De Silva’s claims below:
