While pressure keeps on mounting on a number of local sports governing bodies, the Ministry of Sports stated that its under-construction Sports Regulation, that needs amendments, has reached its final stages. The Director General for Ministry of Sports, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra stated that the New Sports Regulation introduced by former Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, to replace the Sports Law Act No.23 of 1973, would come out very soon, comprehensively altered. “We had several rounds of discussions and will continue before the committee appointed feels the amended Sports Regulation is ready to be distributed among the local sports bodies. This will happen very soon and once the drafts are finalised, the process will follow to gazette the document, of course based on the feedbacks from the local sports administrative bodies,” Ruwanchandra stated. The incumbent Minster of Sports, Navin Dissanayake, since taking over office nearly four months ago, has been on a hot seat with constant weight from the international sports governing bodies that urge Sri Lanka to make comprehensive and workable amendments to the existing Sports Law. Over the few weeks and months, number of sports governing bodies was given ultimatum by their respective global bodies. Among those who pressured Sri Lanka were the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Cricket Council (ICC), FIFA (the world body for football), International Rugby Board or World Rugby, FINA (the international body for swimming and diving), the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) and the latest to join the list, the Badminton World Federation (BWF). These global sports bodies however raised their concern soon after its local affiliations completed the Annual General Meetings (AGM) or elections. Interestingly the remaining international bodies of the local affiliations that did not conduct the AGMs or elections remain silent. “There are no threats or uncertainty of possible bans from the international sports bodies. What has happened is certain international sports bodies have stated that they are not in a position to recognise the new Executive Committees after AGMs of their local affiliations. It’s up to the respective local sports bodies to clear matters with their respective parent or the international bodies. As the Ministry of Sport, we are not in a position to play any role in these matters. What we can do is speed up the process of amending the Sports Regulation and see this problem off for good,” Ruwanchandra added. A fortnight ago Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Sports assured that it would spearhead the process of holding AGM or elections of 18 local sports governing bodies. According to paid advertisements of Ministry of Sports published in local daily newspapers the deadline set for the AGMs or elections is the final week of July. According to experts in the sports field the amended Sports Law to replace the Sports Law Act 23 of 1973 has brought good changes to the local sports administration. But certain claws of the debated amendments were severely condemned by the international sports bodies, citing they indicate influence and involvement of politics into sport. In spite of growing pressure Ruwanchandra stated that a committee, consisting of seven experts from various fields, would sit another round or two before completing the amended Sports Regulation and sending it to the local sports bodies. “There will not be any need to hold re-elections for the ones that have already completed. We have experts in our panel and we have taken all the time needed with the intention of coming out with a comprehensive draft that will not affect any local sports body in the future. Elections of certain bodies were put off due to that reason and the ones that are yet to be done could be held after the amended Sports Law is released. The Ministry of Sports has made it public through newspaper advertisements and we will stick to our goals,” he stated. According to the dates set by the Ministry of Sports for elections of 18 local sports bodies, Volleyball, Karate Do and Badminton Associations will have their elections on July 27. July 28 has been allocated for Rifle Shooting, Hockey, Rugby Football, Golf and Tennis governing bodies. On July 29 elections of Bridge, Carrom, Amateur Boxing, Handball, Rowing and Softball Cricket will be held. The elections of Differently-abled Sports, Motor Cycle, Throwball and Traditional Karate will be held on July 30 according to the newspaper advertisement of the Ministry of Sports.
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
A passenger attempting to smuggle the largest quantity of gold of 35 kilo grams was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today, a senior official said.
Leave Comments