Court instructs respondents to file objection in Maxwell case
The Court of Appeal has asked Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and all other respondents to file objection in the case filed by Maxwell de Silva, challenging his suspension from serving as the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC).
Minister of Sports, 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. The writ application was heard before Judges Dhammika Ganepola and Damith Thotawatte on February 14 and directed the responded to file objections.
De Silva, who has held the position of Secretary General since 2009 is contesting his removal from his role citing it’s unlawful. He contended that the NOC Constitution does not grant the minister any authority to remove him from the position.
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. President Counsel Ikram Mohammed representing the complainant said that they would substantiate their claims for a writ after respondents make their objections. The case will be heard on March 3, 2025.