Football elections by September 16
The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) will go for elections on or before September 16 to fulfill one of the key conditions of the FIFA, the world governing body for football, to get the current ban lifted.
FIFA banned Sri Lanka’s membership citing that the election of office bearers held on January 14, 2023, was constituted with undue interference by the Ministry of Sports. It strongly laid down three conditions to lift the ban.
While holding a fresh election as per the newly adopted FFSL Statutes (September 22, 2022) by secret ballot and for a four-year mandate remains a key condition, it also wanted FFSL to be exempted from the current National Sports Law and for an appointment to be appointed that is fully in charge of the FFSL’s daily affairs until a new FFSL Executive Committee is elected.
Although there was initially reluctance to bow down to the pressures of FIFA, the Ministry of Sports finally has realised that it needed to respect the recommendations of the global body in order to continue to be a part of the international football fraternity.
Following recent discussions with FIFA and AFC (Asian Football Confederation) officials, Sri Lanka agreed to give into the demands of FIFA, paving the way for the ban to be lifted.
In a joint motion moved in courts on Thursday, the parties reached a settlement in respect of the two writ applications filed by former FFSL President Jaswar Umar and by 25 member clubs.
Accordingly, the new regulations promulgated in December 14, 2022 will not be in operation until November 1, 2023 at least in relation to the FFSL. However, the said regulations will be in force from there onwards and the Federation should take complete responsibility to establish the entire structure.
The elected office bearers will have a four-year term, a key statute in the amended FFSL constitution.
Senior Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, PC, appeared on behalf of the Minister of Sports. Senior Counsel Eraj de Silva with Counsel Daminda Wijeyaratne, Zul Luthufi instructed by Dimuthu Kuruppuarachchi appeared for the petitioner on CA Writ/22/2023.
Viran Corea with Thilini Vidanagamage instructed by Shashini Alles appeared for the Petitioners in CA Writ/25/2023.