TT veterans gang up against Chandana Perera
View(s):A convoy of former table tennis stars, who turned out for Sri Lanka at the highest ranks have united to make a strong protest against outgoing head of Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL), Chandana Perera.
The group of former players, who later turned as coaches and administrators, allege that Perera had used table tennis for his benefit while pulling the standard of the sport towards the deep end. It is confirmed that former national players, Buddhasiri Vithanarachchi, Lalith Priyantha, Daya Wimalaweera, N.H. Perera, C. Walagampala and present national coach Jagath Rajapakse have made a complaint against Perera to the Minister of Sports, Mahindananda Aluthgamage who in return had promised swift action.
“He has managed to shift into various positions at the TTASL while making unwarranted influences into the administration of table tennis by going to the extent of even altering the voting system. According to our observations he has manipulated table tennis into a very bad state,” one of the veterans complained.
“He pays the annual amount of Rs. 750 and renews the validity, just to make use of it during an annual general meeting or an election. This is bad for a sport. We, as former players who represented the nation, collectively made a complaint to the Minister of Sports, with proof. The Minister appointed a committee to investigate into the matter. The committee even made certain inquiries from us and gave him (Perera) ample time to reply,” they went on to say.
According to developments Perera was said to have been suspended indefinitely after investigation proved his guilt. But the former stars told the Sunday Times that they are disheartened to learn that Perera was very much active at the annual general meeting which was held on March 31, with deputy minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna being elected as the new president of TTASL.
“Table tennis should be overhauled for good. The standards of TT have declined and it’s clearly evident at international level. Our wish was that the new office bearers would be transparent and productive but it looks like the place is still haunted. Top officials say he was suspended from competing at elections and he cannot hold any positions at TTASL or even any team. Besides the election of the president of TTASL others, especially the vice presidents are back in office, which means he (Perera) still holds the steering wheel,” veteran player Buddhasiri said.
However Shantha Weerasinghe, the Director of Sports for the Ministry of Sports, who headed the committee appointed by the Minister to investigate on the matter, told the Sunday Times that, the final verdict will be in the hands of the Director General of Sports, Ranjani Jayakody.
“I chaired the committee and we have handed over the report after investigations to the Director General. It is clear that he (Perera) cannot contest at elections but he can come because he is the outgoing president of the association. We cannot say anything on the verdict but we have treated everyone in a fair manner. The Director General must decide a suitable verdict based on the findings of the report,” Weerasinghe said.
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