Court to decide Maxwell’s fate on April 30
The Court of Appeal is set to deliberate on April 30 whether to issue an injunction against the Sports Minister’s decision to suspend Maxwell de Silva from his role as Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL). Justices Dhammika Ganepola and Damith Thotawatte will determine whether the suspension should be stayed or annulled based on arguments presented by both parties.
Appearing on behalf of NOCSL President, Suresh Subramaniam, one of the respondents, Romesh de Silva PC with Attorney at-Law Wasantha Kumara Niles, instructed by Attorney at-Law Sanath Wijewardena, explained that the Sports Minister had evicted de Silva from the position of NOCSL Secretary General, under the authority bestowed by the Sport Regulation of Sri Lanka. He further explained that the International Olympic Committee too had reported their displeasure on the manner de Silva functioned in his position, and had advised NOCSL to remove him from the post, which has brought disrepute to the field of sports administration in Sri Lanka. Even the Ethics Committee of NOCSL had recommended the removal of de Silva following a fact-finding report, explained PC de Silva.
Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Manohara Jayasinghe informed the Court of Appeal that the Sports Minister had issued suspension orders against de Silva, barring him from serving as Secretary General of the NOCSL under the powers vested on him under the Sports Law. President’s Counsel Ikram Mohammed, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the Minister of Sports does not have the authority to remove his client from his position at the NOCSL.