The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) is in a deep crisis, plagued by allegations of corruption, governance failures and blatant manipulation.
At the heart of the turmoil is Maxwell de Silva, the Secretary General, whose tenure has been fraught with controversy, ethics violations and accusations of financial mismanagement. Despite recommendations for his suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the NOCSL’s own Ethics Committee, De Silva continues to hold onto his position, placing Sri Lankan sports in jeopardy.
De Silva’s tenure has become emblematic of how systemic loopholes can be exploited.
Serious allegations, including financial mismanagement and misuse of organisational assets, have been highlighted in an Audit Report endorsed by the Ethics Committee. Reports suggest that even exercise bikes were sent to his private residence, underscoring the misuse of resources meant for the organisation.
The Audit findings paint a troubling picture of governance failures, with the Ethics Committee recommending further investigations by State agencies. However, the lack of decisive action has only exacerbated the crisis.
De Silva’s credentials have also come under scrutiny, as he has no significant sporting background. This raises questions about his commitment to the development of sports in Sri Lanka. Critics argue that he is yet to prove he has a genuine passion for sports and not personal interests.
The crisis at the NOCSL reached a point where it drew the attention of international parent bodies, with both the IOC and OCA urging De Silva’s immediate suspension. The IOC has already halted funding to Sri Lanka, resulting in a loss of $250,000 in the short term. The suspension poses a significant threat to the future of Sri Lankan sports, as prolonged inaction could lead to the suspension of the NOCSL itself.
Efforts to reform the NOCSL have also been met with resistance from within. A faction within the Executive Committee, aligned with Maxwell, is reported to have actively obstructed initiatives aimed at restoring transparency and accountability.
There are also allegations of forged documents and unethical practices, including the improper use of per diem allowances despite Constitutional prohibitions while the Ethics Committee’s independent inquiry resulted in a comprehensive Report detailing numerous governance failures and recommending further investigation by State authorities.
The report underscored the need for individuals under investigation to step aside to ensure impartiality. However, delays in implementing these recommendations have deepened the crisis, eroding public trust in the organisation.
Now in a desperate bid the NOCSL has called for snap elections early this year, seeking to avoid prosecution or suspension. A strategy includes attempts to remove the Ethics Committee and install a new body to produce a Report exonerating wrong doers. Insiders say such actions constitute an outright manipulation, a breach of the IOC Charter that underscores the gravity of the misconduct.
The IOC has made it clear that manipulation of this nature is an offence and if proven could lead to severe penalties, including suspension of the NOCSL. It is a direct contravention of the principles of transparency and accountability enshrined in international sports governance.
The rot at the NOCSL did not emerge overnight. Before 2018, the organisation operated with little or no financial oversight, allowing a decade of alleged corruption and mismanagement to go unchecked. It was only after Suresh Subramaniam took over as President in 2018 that a comprehensive audit spanning ten years was conducted. This audit revealed the extent of the skullduggery, including financial irregularities and misuse of resources.
The Ministry of Sports has expressed concern over the situation but has yet to take decisive action. Observers argue that swift government intervention is essential to address the governance failures at NOCSL. The government’s ability to enforce accountability in other sports organisations, such as reducing the number of voting clubs in Sri Lanka Cricket, demonstrates that effective action is possible if the political will exists.
As the crisis deepens, the need for reform within the NOCSL has never been more urgent. The declared sacred norm is that transparency, ethical governance and a commitment to nurturing genuine sporting talent must become the guiding principles of an Organisation. International bodies, the government and ethical leaders within NOCSL cannot hide the fact that there must be a need to collaborate to dismantle entrenched networks that prioritise personal gain over organisational integrity.
The Ministry of Sports has a legal and moral obligation to act swiftly.
The current status or situation at the NOCSL over issues involving De Silva has put the careers of thousands of athletes at stake bringing disgrace to the NOCSL.
International bodies have already sounded the alarm. The consequences of continued inaction are dire: the IOC could impose a full suspension, barring 32 sports associations and over a thousand athletes from international competition.
The IOC’s track record shows it does not shy away from taking decisive action against influential figures. It has been reported that officials from Kuwait, including Sheikh Talal Fahad Ahmed Al Sabah, Souhail Khoury and General Mowaffak Jomaa, were suspended for governance violations, with the IOC successfully defending these actions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If the IOC is willing to act against high-profile individuals from wealthier nations, Sri Lanka is certainly not immune to similar sanctions.
The time for complacency is over. Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has to act decisively to enforce national sports laws and prosecute those responsible for this crisis. Failure to do so will not only tarnish Minister Gamage’s record but also plunge Sri Lanka into international sporting oblivion.
The stakes are monumental. Sri Lanka’s entire sporting future hangs in the balance, threatened by one individual and those who prioritise personal gain over national interest. The government, NOCSL leadership and international bodies need to collaborate to dismantle an entrenched system that leaves room for corruption and restore integrity to Sri Lankan sports.
The time to act is now. Sri Lanka cannot afford to let this crisis fester any longer.
Failure to address these issues risks further international isolation and lasting damage to Sri Lanka’s reputation in the sporting world. The question remains: will Sri Lanka seize this opportunity for reform or allow the actions of a few to tarnish the future of Olympic sports in the country?
