Former football chair cries foul on present lot
He believes that under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who has a clear mandate to fight corruption, a proper investigation into the SLF’s affairs will soon begin. Sri Ranga highlighted the stark contrast between the dire state of the national football players, who often struggle with financial hardships, and the lavish lifestyles of SLF officials.
“While the footballers, who represent our country, suffer, millions of rupees flow into the federation. Yet, the officials indulge in luxuries,” he said during a media briefing.
The former President, along with other SLF representatives, recently met with the Mahanayake Theras of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, informing them of the corruption within the SLF. Speaking to the media afterwards, Sri Ranga revealed that a report compiled by the committee—appointed by former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe—had not been implemented.
“A report that cost Rs. 8 million to produce was simply thrown in the garbage by previous officials.”
Then Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake had addressed the issue in Parliament a few months ago, stating that he would eliminate corruption in the sports. Sri Ranga emphasised that Sri Lanka should be receiving around USD 8 million for the development of football, similar to other countries.
However, he alleged that SLF officials have been cozying up to politicians to shield themselves from scrutiny.
“The Sports Minister came with the promise to clean up the system, but after six months, he’s siding with the corrupted,” he said, referring to the lack of transparency surrounding SLF funds.
According to Sri Ranga, SLF has received Rs. 25 million in recent times, but the funds have disappeared without any proper accounting. He expressed hope that the current government would take action against these wrongdoings.
Former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe had previously claimed that he was pressured by then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sagala Ratnayake to remove Sri Ranga from his position as SLF chief.
“They told me that if Sri Ranga doesn’t leave, I’ll have to step down myself,” Ranasinghe had stated.
The then minister further alleged that efforts to stop the investigation into SLF corruption had been a priority of the former government. A committee, led by former Supreme Court Judge Kusala Sarojini, had investigated corruption in both cricket and football.
However, while cricket issues have been given attention, football remains neglected. Sri Ranga noted that despite his attempts to bring these issues to light, he faced no repercussions until he began speaking about SLF corruption.
“I was jailed for eight months for talking about the corruption in football,” he said, illustrating the power of those protecting the wrongdoers, while pointing out the sharp rise in wealth among certain SLF officials.
“The current SLF President came to the federation on a three-wheeler; now he’s driving a BMW. People who didn’t even own a house in Sri Lanka now have properties in Australia,” he exclaimed.
Meanwhile, the country’s football players are living in poverty, he stated.
“Footballers are driving three-wheelers, doing wire work, and catching fish to make a living. They have no money, yet these officials won’t even allocate Rs. 250,000 for the league.”
For over 30 years, the same faces have been leading the SLF, according to Sri Ranga. He criticised the fact that these individuals are more powerful than politicians.
“There are more thieves outside Parliament than inside it. These officials are so strong that they catch the ministers who are supposed to catch them,” he said.
The former SLF President pinned hopes on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, that these issues will be addressed properly.
“We believe that justice will be served.”
Retired Senior Police Commissioner and President of the Association of Soccer Masters, Sunil Perera, along with Thilak Peiris, also attended the event, backing Sri Ranga’s calls for action.
“The growing calls for accountability within the SLF are a sign that the scandal is not going away anytime soon. With the public’s demand for transparency and reform, the football community now waits to see whether President Dissanayake’s government will take the necessary steps to bring justice to the sport and clean up the SLF for good,” they said.