An internal crisis is said to be developing among the Committee members and the president of Football Sri Lanka (FSL) Jaswar Umar with the majority of the 66 Leagues calling for a re-elections to overcome the situation.
It can be revealed that at the election held on September 24 last year the team led by Jaswar Umar, with the support of former president Ranjith Rodrigo and Manil Fernando won with a majority of 25 votes in the voting of 66 Leagues nationwide.
Umar defeated his opponent Dakshitha Sumathipala with nearly 70 percent of the votes in his favour.
However, over the past year problems have arisen between them over decisions taken at the Executive Council meetings.
One currently serving vice president and former president Ranjith Rodrigo has come up with a series of complaints as to why this situation has arisen.
He alleged that there are no decisions taken by Jaswar and that FSL is at a standstill.
Rodrigo said that Sri Lanka has to play many international matches in due course with the senior national team and junior teams lined up for events starting from August until November or December.
The Sri Lanka team is listed to play against Cambodia on September 5 and Rodrigo questioned the preparations in the run-up to the match.
With regard to the national team budgets, so far no proposed detailed budget has reached the Finance Committee for review and recommendation.
“There must be timely arranged Exco meetings and the Minutes circulated among all of us for approval and implementation. But it is disappointing to say that this never happens now”, said Rodrigo
According to Rodrigo there has been no Exco meeting, no proper Budget, no local Tournament, no transference, no youth development, no grassroots programs, no proper national team preparation, no proper coach appointments, no proper statutory and other committee appointments and function, no league Grants, no league summits, no football and equipment for players, no sponsorship, restricted funds from FIFA and AFC, no professional Staff, no 2021, 2022 and 2023 approved financial Accounts and Audited reports, no infrastructure for football development and no appointment of committee members of FIFA, AFC and SAFF.
Head coach Andy Morrison has refused to come back to Sri Lanka for the game against Cambodia on September 5 and the main reason for his absence will be the failure to provide him with a resident visa promised by Umar according to Rodrigo along with a place of residence.
