Cycling Fund is safe and will remain so: ‘Caretaker’ Amal Suriyage
Amal Suriyage
A fund started by former Finance Minister, the late Ronnie De Mel, who was also a former President of the Sri Lanka Cycling Federation (SLCF), is said to be ‘healthy’ after 18 years. This was disclosed by this Cycling Fund’s ‘caretaker’, Amal Suriyage, a former SLCF General Secretary and present Mountain Biking Association (MBA) President. At present the, fund which started with Rs 775,000 in 1998, stands at Rs 5.5 million.
“I will not give this amount away for unnecessary use,” said Mr Suriyage at a press conference held at St. Joseph’s Sports Club in Maradana last week.
SLCF President Dr Amal Harsha De Silva, at his maiden press conference, when questioned by the media regarding this fund, said he does not know about the fund as there are no documents regarding this, and that he will look into the matter. It was to this query that Mr Suriyage replied, “The fund is in safe hands and has now risen to Rs 5.5 million.” The main issue regarding SLCF funds was addressed by Dr Amal, as this ‘fund’, arbitrarily held by Mr Suriyage, without handing it over to the CFSL, was a hot topic within the Cycling fraternity. The SLCF intends to complain to the CID and have the fund restored to their custody, while also seeking a private meeting with the IGP.
Earlier, at a press briefing presided over by a Vice President Senake Ranasinghe, he alleged there may have been misappropriation in this fund held by Amal Suriyage. Mr Suriyage’s stand is that, first and foremost they are not answerable to the CFSL, which has no right to question them, according to both Constitutions. “We are a Trustee, an independent body, and regret that Dr Amal Harsha does not know, as he is being misinformed by people with vested interests, who want this fund for personal agendas. We wish to point out that, even under the earlier body, they tried the same ploy by complaining to the CID.
The result was that, I was acquitted of all charges by the Attorney General, as the ‘Fund’ was safe and sound. It is laughable that learned people holding office think anything can be taken by lodging complaints with the CID. Mr Suriage says these learned people need to be taught a bit of Administration. “If one wishes to obtain funds from us, they should write to us, rather then go to the newspapers.” He says it is almost a year since the present body took over the CFSL, and have still to initiate any intimation or clarification in writing or verbally. “This is the plight of these so called associations representing Sports bodies,” he pointed out. He concluded saying he has not been involved in the affairs of the CFSL in the last two decades or so, except to represent the MBA.