Sports Ministry suspends SLASU elections
The Ministry of Sports has suspended the elections of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) after continuous complaints about a possible manipulation kept flowing in to the top authorities. According to sources, the letters and emails that reached the Ministry of Sports have highlighted the conduct of the elections, which were to be held today, as ‘being conducted violating the rules and regulations approved as mandatory and not in compliance’.
One such letter in possession of the Sunday Times, points out of 11 names, including of the incumbent President of SLASU, Mahinda Liyanage, that are ineligible by some way or the other if the elections are conducted in accordance to the Sports Law of Sri Lanka.
“The Ministry of Sports have been getting complaints over the past few weeks and upon the advice of the Minister of Sports, I, as the Advisor the Minister, instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to advise the Elections Committee suspend the elections of SLASU. I recommended through a letter that a proper investigation to be done and until a clear verdict is reached through the investigations not to hold the elections. The allegations that are detailed, are rather complicated according to letters,” one Mr. Kodituwakku, who identified himself as the Advisor to the Minister of Sports, stated.
In addition to alleged ‘continuous malpractices that have been taking place over the years within the SLASU, ‘serious manipulation of selections of swimmers and divers’ for international events is another aspect that has been brought to notice.
Surpassing both these points ‘a critical matter is being put under the carpet’ according to the letter spotlighting of sexual abuse on children who were on tour during the 54th Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championship earlier this year.
“People who were responsible of the kids and failed to ensure the safety of the minor swimmers on tour, have given their names for the elections. These officials have blackmailed the kids by saying that they will be given a ‘international tour ban’ if anything goes out. But somehow it’s an open secret by now, and the swimming fraternity is worried that the sport will not enjoy democracy in the near future if this madness continues,” the sources explained.
Adding more layers to the complicated administrative mishaps, the current SLASU officials have not taken the trouble to give notice to eligible clubs with voting rights of the elections while some others have been deliberately excluded from the list.
Humorously the incumbent President of SLASU, Mahinda Liyanage has been given nomination for another term in the similar capacity while he is to compete Sumudu Liyanage, if the elections were held as planned. Apparently both are husband and wife and if one loses or the other withdraws nomination, the position would remain in the same circle.
Among other names that are received as Committee Members include of E.J. Rodney Silva, P.S.P. Dayananda, P.S.A. Dinesh Dayananda, Kankani Padmasisri, Gunethi Arunalatha, Sampath Sumanasiri, Janaka Lal Perera, Lochana Kottehewa and J. Somachandra, who is 74-years old. Apparently almost all of them are professional swimming coaches, meet officials or hold positions at institutions as consultants or advisors, which directly or indirectly could affect the national selection process.
“Unfortunately this has been happening for years and, if you take at least there is one misfit from Sri Lanka in an international event. This is because of these type of officials, who are actually coaches by profession and want to give one of their favourites a chance, not the deserving. The latest that this occurred was at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast,” the source went on to say.
Moreover the letter goes on to say that even most of the present office bearers are unlawful and illegal and ‘their appointments are directly in violation and contradiction to the Sports Law Act No. 25 of 1973 and its subsequent amendments as well as the constitution of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union’.
The letter has drawn the attention of the Minister of Sports to remove all office bearers of SLASU as most of them are either fulltime or part time coaches, and ‘appoint an interim committee of independent competent persons who have a clean record and have no vested interest and who have not held office recently’.
It goes on to say that the nomination list already submitted to be rejected, withhold the elections, initiate an investigation and impose a ban of at least five years on all ‘illegal and unlawful’ nominees.
“We request you (Ministry of Sports) to take immediate action and there is an onus on your part as the Secretary of the subject ministry as the Hon. Minister himself has made a press announcement regarding illegal and unlawful office bearers,” the letter says in conclusion.
Attempts to contact Kamal Pathmasiri, the Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, the recipient of the letter, was futile for an official comment on the respond as well as the development as stated by the Advisor to the Minister of Sports, Kodituwakku.