Badminton: Lifetime ban on three SLBA ex-officials from holding office

"Former President of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA), Suraj Dandeniya, Secretary- Wing Commander Amal Dias and Treasurer- Ruwan Gallege, cannot represent the SLBA in future,” said Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera. 

This is in consequence to the Sports Law and the advice of the Director General of the Ministry of Sports regarding SLBA 2017 elections, being enforced. 

"The Sports Ministry instructed all Sports bodies must hold their Annual General Meetings (AGM) and elections after obtaining the Auditor General’s approval on their respective Audit Reports, before May 31. However, the SLBA produced its Audit Report this time, after a lapse of 8 years, sans the Auditor General's approval, which is strictly against the Sports Law, and held their AGM and elections on March 24. Without heeding those instructions, the SLBA held its AGM and elections before schedule." 

"According to the new Sports Regulations (released on 27.10.2016), the SLBA AGM under discussion is against the law. As a result, SLBA's new office-bearers will not be recognised by the Sports Ministry." 

"Nishantha Jayasinghe, a former National player, was elected President, and the whole committee is against the prevailing law. To conduct future activities, the Sports Ministry has appointed a Competent Authority, who will, in due course, hold fresh elections and bring a settlement to the SLBA," stated Minister Jayasekera. 

Due to the 'misconduct' of the former SLBA regime, it is the Badminton players who have to suffer, as they cannot take part in international events. 

According to the new regulations, elections to Sports bodies must be held every two years.