OCA delivers crushing blow on NOC
Sri Lanka (NOCSL), refusing to release funds until the local body expels all officials tainted by corruption. The decision comes as a continuation of the financial suspension imposed by both the OCA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in December last year, following severe governance failures and allegations of financial misconduct—particularly against NOCSL General Secretary Maxwell de Silva.
Despite pleas from NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam, the OCA remains firm. In a letter dated February 17, addressed to Subramaniam, the OCA issued an uncompromising ultimatum:
NOC chief Suresh Subramaniam (left) and now-suspended Secretary General Maxwell de Silva (centre) at the Olympic House soon after their first election win in 2018
“The OCA is willing to reconsider your request in the best interest of athletes, as they should not suffer. However, before we even entertain discussions, the directives in the joint IOC-OCA letters must be fully implemented. Those implicated in corruption must step aside entirely—they have no place in the present or future affairs of the NOCSL.”
In other words, unless the corrupt elements within the NOCSL are permanently removed, the financial freeze will not be lifted. This latest development follows an urgent appeal from Subramaniam to OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam, requesting a reconsideration of the financial suspension due to its dire impact on Sri Lanka’s athletes.
“Due to the IOC/OCA financial suspension, we are facing severe hardship, particularly for the athletes. As of February 2025, NOCSL is forecasted to lose $30,000 per month, even after cutting expenses to a bare minimum and halting new projects. It is unfortunate that this situation arose because of one individual, supported by a handful of ExCo members,” Subramaniam wrote.
With Sri Lanka’s participation in key international events like the South Asian Games (SAG) and the Commonwealth Games at risk, Subramaniam warned that the continued financial blockade would cripple the country’s sporting ambitions.
“As President, I cannot let down the athletes, the government, and the right-thinking ExCo members. Some of our local sponsors have already distanced themselves from the NOCSL. I would greatly appreciate it if you could reconsider the financial suspension on our organisation.”
But the OCA remains unmoved. Their stance is clear—clean house first, then talk about money. Maxwell de Silva, who was the Secretary General since 2009, was suspended in January following serious allegations of financial misconduct. The Sports Ministry directed the NOCSL to implement the Ethics Committee’s recommendation, which called for de Silva’s removal until law enforcement completed its investigation.
However, the OCA is well aware that de Silva’s allies remain entrenched within the NOCSL, obstructing reform at every turn. Officials such as Chandana Liyanage, Gamini Jayasinghe, and Suranjith Premadasa, who thrived under de Silva’s rule, have actively resisted the implementation of the Ethics Committee’s recommendations. These individuals, having enjoyed foreign trips and lavish perks under de Silva’s leadership, now find themselves at the center of the storm.
Explaining the situation to his Executive Board and the NOCSL membership, Subramaniam wrote in an email: “I am of the view that it is the bounden duty of the Members of the EB of the NOCSL to ensure that IOC/OCA funding is restored at the earliest, to avoid any further prejudice from being caused to the NOCSL as well as to the Athletes of this country”.
“Hence, we should act swiftly to RID the NOCSL of all the Members, including Members of the EB, against whom there are corruption allegations, with a view to restoring the image and reputation of the NOCSL as well as to procure the urgently required funding from the IOC/OCA, which is of immense benefit to the Athletes of this country”.
Determined to restore credibility, Subramaniam has initiated a forensic audit of the NOCSL’s finances. He has called for quotations from three top audit firms to scrutinise key financial areas of Olympic Solidarity Fund, funds, meant for the development of athletes but have long been suspected of mismanagement, Athletes Commission, Forest Cover Project , an initiative that was supposed to promote environmental sustainability but is now under scrutiny for possible financial irregularities and Paper Associations like Fencing and Modern Pentathlon.
“The IOC and OCA have made their position crystal clear—they demand good governance and transparency. This financial suspension is severely affecting our athletes, and we must act swiftly if we want to secure funding for the upcoming SAG and Commonwealth Games,” Subramaniam told the Sunday Times, adding that he expects those with dubious past to resign.