Amended sports law draft sent to Lausanne
An amended initial draft which has affected the National Sports Law Regulation causing disparity and confusion among local and international governing bodies and the Sports Ministry of Sri Lanka has been sent to Lausanne in Switzerland – where the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is based according to National Olympic Committee (NOC) chief, Hemasiri Fernando.
Hemasiri Fernando
“The amendments need to be further reviewed and it might take some more time than expected. Most of the local sports governing bodies are yet to adopt the guidelines notified by the NOC. They were well informed to redraft their respective constitutions and get them approved after thorough review by the respective international bodies. But it is yet to happen from any of these local affiliations. The failure from their part has caused an unwanted delay and panic to the problem and the international bodies,” Fernando stated.
The National Sports Law Regulation 2013 Act 1 gazette draft which was adopted on January 15, 2013 has caused continuous debate and confusion within the local sports fraternity. This act came to affect with many amendments under the then Minister of Sports, Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
The amended Sports Regulation, since its adoption has affected the local sports governing bodies with unforeseen crisis. The IOC pointed its finger on Sports Ministry of Sri Lanka, stating it goes against the Olympic Charter, dragging the crisis onto many rounds of meetings between its officials. But a fitting remedy was seen far from reach until the incumbent Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake, had to face pressure from international sports governing bodies, who threatened of sanctions, and the IOC.
Minister Dissanayake, while taking a firm and positive stance on the changes stated that they should also adhere to the existing legal mechanism of the country. After direction and guidance from the IOC Sri Lanka made amendments to the adopted National Sports Regulation 2013 Act 1, through a committee formed by experts from different fields and officials representing the Sports Ministry and the NOC. The draft will be sent for observation, review and recommendation of the IOC said NOC chief Fernando.