The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) is embroiled in a series of corruption scandals, with high-ranking officials facing serious allegations of embezzlement, fraud, corruption, manipulation, human smuggling, and bribery. Despite overwhelming evidence of misconduct, key figures such as Secretary General Maxwell De Silva and Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe continue to hold their positions, raising significant concerns about accountability and governance within the organization.
Maxwell De Silva and Gamini Jayasinghe have held their positions as Secretary General and Treasurer of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) since 2009, during which time significant allegations of financial misconduct have emerged. From 2009 to 2017, they failed to submit official accounts, a violation of Sri Lanka’s Sports Law. It is during this period that many of the alleged corrupt activities, including embezzlement, misuse of funds, and fraudulent activities, took place.
In 2018, after an audit was finally conducted, it uncovered the extent of the fraud, exposing years of financial mismanagement and theft. Despite these findings, Maxwell and Jayasinghe continue to hold their positions, often aided by trusted allies like Lalith Withana, who is known for falsifying financial records (“cooking the books”). It’s reported that Lalith’s overseas trips were paid for by the NOCSL, with false documentation arranged by Maxwell and Gamini.
Under Sri Lanka’s Sports Law, the failure to submit financial accounts constitutes an offense that should have led to immediate suspension. Despite this, both Maxwell and Gamini have managed to avoid suspension and continue to wield significant influence within the organization, manipulating investigations and delaying any accountability. This prolonged evasion of justice raises serious questions about the integrity of the country’s sports governance and the role of government officials in enabling such corruption.
The persistent inaction by both local and international bodies raises serious concerns about the integrity of Sri Lanka’s sports governance. Typically, officials facing multiple allegations are suspended pending the outcome of investigations. However, what perplexes many is why these officials are allowed to retain their positions. It is widely believed that they continuously exert influence over government authorities responsible for investigating their misconduct. As a result, several of these cases have dragged on for years, leaving little hope that justice will ever be served. This ongoing delay undermines public confidence and the prospects for accountability.
Key Players and Allegations
- Maxwell De Silva (Secretary General, NOCSL):
- Embezzlement of Funds: De Silva has been accused of siphoning $10,000 during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Misappropriation of Olympic Solidarity Funds: De Silva allegedly pocketed funds meant for key projects, including $30,000 for an athlete database.
- Bribery and Human Smuggling: De Silva has been implicated in accepting bribes, misusing his authority for personal gain, and assisting in a human smuggling ring during international events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where athletes and officials disappeared.
- Improper Use of Official Trips: He faced criticism for taking unauthorized companions to events like the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, raising questions about his ethical conduct.
- Accepting bribes to vote at key OCA elections.
- Gamini Jayasinghe (Treasurer, NOCSL):
- Lack of Qualifications: Jayasinghe was appointed despite lacking the necessary qualifications for the role.
- Misappropriation of Funds: He has been accused of collaborating with De Silva to divert funds meant for athletes and Olympic projects to personal associates.
- Bribery and Connections with Criminal Elements: Jayasinghe is linked to underworld figure Potta Naufer, accepting protection payments to finance personal trips, including a hockey trip to Bangkok.
- Fake Sports Associations: Jayasinghe and De Silva are involved in creating fraudulent sports associations to siphon money through fake sponsorships.
- Chandana Liyanage (Basketball Federation Official):
- Corruption and Misuse of Funds: Liyanage is implicated in various fraudulent activities within NOCSL, including the misappropriation of Sports Ministry funds. He was also once the Chairman Procurement Committee.
- Believed to have been terminated from a leading apparel manufacturer for opposing an audit committee to examine his area of work.
- Vehemently continues to oppose the Forensic Audit being conducted.
- Gobinath Sivarajah (Media Manager, NOCSL):Forgery and Blackmail: Sivarajah was arrested for forging signatures and blackmailing a businessman into providing Rs. 800,000 for sponsorships. He was caught trying to flee the country despite a travel ban.
- Dinesh Krishantha (Treasurer of DanceSport Sri Lanka): Financial Mismanagement: Involved in fraudulent activities alongside other NOCSL officials, particularly in failing to account for significant funds received by DanceSport Sri Lanka. There have been no audits or financial transparency for the funds used by this unregistered sports association
- Suranjith Premadasa (Vice President):Illegal Financial Benefits: Alleged to have pocketed substantial funds during international events, including the Asian Games, despite regulations prohibiting such per diem claims.Violation of Sports Law: Linked to conflicts of interest, using his private business for official sports dealings.
- Lalith Withana (Chairman – Finance) – Even though he resigned and left, he was one official who vehemently objected to the forensic audit being conducted.
The Morning Telegraph’s investigation team of journalists have uncovered more scandalous dealings which we intend publishing in the near future.
