DG issues landmark directive to uphold fairness in SLAS governance
This year's Fox Hill Super Cross triggered the downfall of SLAS administration
In a decisive move to ensure integrity and transparency, Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando, PhD, the Director General of Sports, has issued a groundbreaking directive to overhaul governance within Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS).
This directive, authorised by clause 5 (6) of the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2382/32, disqualifies current national automobile sports competitors and their immediate family members from holding office in SLAS. The measure is designed to maintain a clear separation between competitors and the administrative body, preventing conflicts of interest and promoting unbiased governance.
Effective immediately, any individual holding a national automobile sports licence for the current year or having competed in national events within the last 12 months, along with their parents or siblings, will be ineligible to be elected or to hold office in SLAS. This decisive action ensures that the leadership of SLAS remains impartial, committed to the sport’s integrity and development.
This significant move follows concerns about potential conflicts of interest and a need to rejuvenate the governance of automobile sports in Sri Lanka. For nearly two decades, SLAS has been dominated by a monopoly, often controlled by unscrupulous members whose practices have raised questions about fairness and transparency. This new directive aims to dismantle this long-standing control, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the sport.
Moreover, the directive brings to light the existence of five so-called ‘paper clubs’ within the automobile sport sector. These entities have been a part of the system that maintained the status quo, contributing to the challenges of fair governance. With this new directive, their influence is expected to diminish, paving the way for more legitimate and representative organisations to emerge.
The Sri Lankan sports community and stakeholders within the automobile sports sector have widely welcomed the decision. It is seen as a crucial step toward reinforcing the integrity of the sport and aligning with the broader goals of national sports policy.
Sri Lanka Automobile Sports now stands on the brink of a new era, one characterised by fairness, transparency, and a commitment to the sport’s best interests. This directive sets a precedent for other sports organisations to follow, emphasising the importance of unbiased governance in the promotion of sports in Sri Lanka.