Court of Appeal issues Interim Order against SLAS Elections
It all triggered with the Fox Hill debacle this April
The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order preventing the Election Committee of Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) from conducting its 2024 elections, citing violations of the SLAS Constitution and the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973.
The legal action was initiated by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR), a pioneering motorsports club in the country. SLARDAR, led by its President Shameera Abeynayake and Secretary Dilan Bandara, has taken a stand against what they describe as a ‘mafia’ that has controlled the motorsports landscape in Sri Lanka for over a decade. The case was filed in the Court of Appeal through their attorneys Akiel Deen and Nimanga Senanayake, with instructions from Shayamali Athukorala.
The Election Committee, appointed to oversee the SLAS election, was accused of attempting to violate the SLAS Constitution, the Sports Law, and subsequent Gazette notifications and directives issued by the Director General of Sports, Prof. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando.
These directives, guided by the Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, included measures to restrict the function of ‘paper clubs’ and eliminate national competitors from the governing board—steps widely praised by the Sri Lanka Racing Drivers Union and the broader motor racing community.
In a surprising turn of events, the Election Committee allegedly disregarded these directives and attempted to proceed with the election using ineligible nominations. This prompted the Court of Appeal to intervene and issue an interim order to prevent any further violations.
SLARDAR is renowned for its unblemished record in conducting major motorsports events in Sri Lanka, including the prestigious Fox Hill Supercross and numerous other significant venues. This move by SLARDAR and the Court of Appeal is seen as a significant step towards restoring integrity and fairness in Sri Lanka’s motorsports arena.