Maxwell challenges his suspension
The Court of Appeal has granted permission to proceed with the hearing of the writ application filed by Maxwell de Silva, contesting the decision of the Minister of Sports to suspend him from serving as the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC).
When the writ application was heard on Friday before Judges Dhammika Ganepola and Damith Thotawatte, the Court of Appeal scheduled the case for February 14 and directed the petitioner to present facts in support of his appeal through the writ application.
De Silva, who has held the position of Secretary General since 2009, argued that the suspension imposed by the Minister of Sports on January 10, removing him from his role, is unlawful. He contended that the NOC Constitution does not grant the minister any authority to remove him from the position. Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara, Secretary to the Ministry of Sports Aruna Bandara, the Executive Committee of the NOC, the Ethics Committee of the NOC, and the Attorney General of Sri Lanka have been named as respondents.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially instructed the NOC to remove Maxwell de Silva from his position as Secretary General on January 14, pending an inquiry. This decision followed the findings of the NOC Ethics Committee, which charged him with misusing the privileges of his position.
The Executive Committee of the NOC convened for the first time following de Silva’s removal, under the chairmanship of its President, Suresh Subramaniam, last Wednesday. The membership agreed to adhere to the guidelines of the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia when making decisions regarding the Secretary General’s position.