IOC and OCA issue ‘Red Notice’ on NOC
The Executive Board (EB) of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) now faces a critical dilemma following demands from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to act on the recommendations of the NOCSL Ethics Committee (EC) aimed at protecting the integrity of the Olympic movement.
The Ethics Committee has recommended the immediate suspension of NOCSL Secretary General Maxwell de Silva, pending further investigations into alleged misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. Despite the severity of these recommendations, the EB, where de Silva holds significant influence, is yet to take action. This inaction has prompted stern warnings from both the IOC and OCA.
In a letter to NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam, Jérôme Poivey, the Associate Director of Institutional and Governance Services at the IOC, emphasised the urgency of addressing these governance issues.
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“These internal governance issues have been seriously damaging the operations and reputation of your NOC. It is high time for your NOC to act swiftly and responsibly in accordance with your NOC Constitution, the basic principles of good governance within the Olympic Movement, and the Olympic Charter. Failing which, the IOC reserves the right to take further action,” wrote Poivey in his correspondence to Subramaniam.
The recommendations from the EC follow an investigation conducted by a three-member committee, appointed earlier this year by former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando. The investigation focused on allegations of financial misconduct involving de Silva and former NOCSL President Hemasiri Fernando related to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The report, compiled by the investigation committee led by Director General of Sports Dr. Shemal Fernando, alongside retired DIG Jagath Hemantha Fonseka and retired Deputy Auditor General NR Manel Dharmasiri, uncovered serious violations. Among the most alarming findings was a government audit revealing that both de Silva and Fernando had claimed USD 10,000 for travel and accommodation during the Rio Olympics, despite already receiving compensation from the IOC in March 2016. These excess funds, which were unlawfully withdrawn, were only returned by Fernando in April 2017 and de Silva in December 2017—well after the legal deadline, suggesting clear misappropriation.
The investigation also revealed unauthorised actions, including the sending of six individuals to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games without the necessary approval from the Ministry of Sports. Some of these individuals absconded during the event, further tarnishing Sri Lanka’s reputation.
“We understand that your NOC Ethics Committee has reviewed the allegations raised and provided recommendations, which, for unknown reasons, have not yet been considered by your NOC Executive Board,” Poivey continued in his letter.
“It is now expected that you convene an urgent meeting of your NOC Executive Board to examine the conclusions and recommendations submitted by your NOC Ethics Committee, which cannot be ignored, and take appropriate action without delay, in accordance with your NOC Constitution.”
Echoing the IOC’s concerns, OCA Ethics Committee Chairman Debendranath Sarangi issued a strongly worded letter to Subramaniam, urging the immediate suspension of de Silva. Sarangi emphasised the need for swift action to uphold governance standards within the NOCSL.
“These governance issues must be addressed immediately to ensure the integrity of your NOC. Please convene an emergency meeting of your Ethics Committee and resolve the matter promptly,” Sarangi wrote.
De Silva has served as General Secretary of the NOCSL since 2009 and is believed to have consolidated control over the Executive Board by offering privileges such as foreign trips and scholarships to board members, thereby turning a blind eye to corruption and other malpractices within the organisation.
In his email, Poivey highlighted the IOC’s dissatisfaction with NOCSL’s failure to implement the Ethics Committee’s recommendations. He further warned that the IOC would consider further action if the NOCSL continued to delay its response.
“I reiterate the IOC’s serious concern regarding the NOCSL’s failure to implement the Ethics Committee’s recommendation. If this matter is not resolved expeditiously, the IOC reserves the right to take further action,” Poivey wrote.
Subramaniam has since communicated to the EB that when the Ethics Committee’s report was presented at the EB meeting on October 1, 2024, the majority of board members chose to defer consideration of the recommendations, citing the unavailability of supporting documents referenced in the report.
“I would like to remind the Executive Board that the decisions and recommendations made by the Ethics Committee are the result of careful deliberation,” Subramaniam wrote.
“Any reasoning for failing to implement these recommendations must be clear and convincing. The IOC and OCA are closely monitoring our actions, and any decision not to enforce the Ethics Committee’s recommendation will be subject to scrutiny.”
Subramaniam stressed that NOCs globally typically respect and implement the decisions of their Ethics Committees promptly. However, de Silva’s influence over the EB, fuelled by his provision of privileges to board members, has led to significant resistance within the board.
“The IOC has expressed its dismay at the recent conduct of NOCSL’s affairs. I strongly urge the EB to act in accordance with the Ethics Committee’s recommendations,” Subramaniam implored.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Subramaniam confirmed that the EB would meet on November 19, 2024, to discuss the issue and stressed that NOCSL had no choice but to comply with the IOC’s demands.
“Since the IOC, the mother body, has requested action, we have no option but to comply,” Subramaniam said.
“Failure to do so could result in severe consequences, including the suspension of funding for athletes and even the suspension of NOCSL itself, as has happened to other countries. This would bring Sri Lanka’s sports movement to a standstill, as we saw with Russia and Ukraine. All of this stems from the actions of one individual.”
Meanwhile, NOCSL issued a press release denying reports of de Silva’s suspension, insisting that the Ethics Committee’s report had been submitted without a formal inquiry. However, the Ethics Committee’s report clearly stated that the investigation, conducted by the Ministry of Sports-appointed committee, was comprehensive and conclusive, leaving no need for further inquiry.
“The findings of the investigation are self-explanatory, and there is no reason to re-invent the wheel,” the Ethics Committee’s report stated.
De Silva, who has long held sway over the NOCSL, continues to use his proxies within the EB to block efforts to suspend him, which would likely bring an end to the corrupt network he has nurtured over the years.