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by Lal Gunesekera

Fresh gazette notification can undo damage... : Minister Jeevan misled on vital issue

The National Sports Council (NSC) met in emergency session last Tuesday (October 4). It was poorly attended, but they discussed the amendment to the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 passed by Parliament with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jeevan Kumaratunga, presenting it. The NSC decided to write to Minister Kumaratunga stating that his decision to amend the Sports Law was without the advice and sanction of the NSC, which is an advisory body to the Minister.

I was told that Minister Kumaratunga had not sought their (NSC) advice on many previous occasions too, and could not understand the hurry in which he got this legislation passed in Parliament. Once, an inquiry was held into the Chess Federation and after the NSC advised the Minister to dissolve it, their advice was not heeded.

Then came an inquiry against the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka made by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU). The NOC duo of President Hemasiri Fernando and Secretary, Cmdr (rtd) H. U. Silva failed to attend this inquiry when called upon to do so and before the inquiry was over, Minister Kumaratunga decided to dissolve SLASU. These are a couple of unilateral decisions taken by the Minister.

The NSC are disturbed that Minister Kumaratunga, in the latest episode, decided once again without any advice by the NSC pass legislation in Parliament to "extend the life of NOC officials without any restrictions."

They (the NSC) are of the opinion that Minister Kumaratunga has the legal right to withdraw this amendment after gazetting it again, which occurred even where the Sri Lanka Athletic Association (SLAA) was concerned earlier. The NSC had advised the Minister that no extension be granted to the NOC to continue in office even up to the 10th South Asian Games in April next year (2006).

The statement made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, S. Ranugge, to the effect that the Ministry was asked to make these amendments by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as soon as possible for the "NOC to fall in line with the IOC", is completely false. The NSC completely denies the validity of Ranugge's statement, where he had also commented that the failure to make these amendments would have resulted in the cancellation of Sri Lanka's membership with the IOC.

The IOC made certain drastic changes to its constitution in September last year (2004), which stipulates that its' President could hold office only for two four-year terms, and if the committee members agree, extend his term by another half term (two years). All other office-bearers can serve only for two years.

This alone proves that Ranugge's statement is incorrect and that the Minister Kumaratunga was misled, not only by his own Ministry Secretary (Ranugge), but also by the two chameleons of the NOC into amending the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973.

The Chairman of the NSC, Saman Amarasinghe, an appointee of Minister Kumaratunga himself, was away in Geneva, Switzerland when this amendment was passed in Parliament. He had visited the IOC headquarters and when scrutinising the directory of IOC officials, found that NO (I repeat, NO) Sri Lankans were on the list of IOC committee members.

When this particular amendment came up in Parliament, only Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arjuna Ranatunga, and a JVP member spoke against it. I wonder where two former Ministers of Sports (Lakshman Kiriella and Johnston Fernando) of UNP administrations of the past were when this amendment was brought up? Why were they silent? It's a very strange state of affairs.

The NSC were also contemplating issuing an ultimatum to Minister Kumaratunga to revoke this amendment within one week, and his failure to do so, would result in the NSC's 14 members resigning in toto. That will create quite a stir.

The 14-member NSC comprises: Saman Amarasinghe (Chairman), Dr. A. A. D. Perera, Dr. A. R. L. Wijesekera, Major General (Dr) C. Thurairajah, Yogananda Wijesundera, Anusha Gunasekera, Dr. Geethanjan Mendis, Talavao Alailima, Sunil Dissanayake, Anurakirthi Gamage, Jayaweera, Lalith Gunawardene, Milton Amarasinghe and K. A. S. Pieris.

To refresh the memory of Minister Kumaratunga, I would like to ask him one question. What on earth has happened to the Sidath Sri Nandalochana report which made several recommendations to amend the Sports Law of 1973? This particular committee was appointed by former Minister of Sports, Lakshman Kiriella. Does the Minister or his Secretary (Ranugge) know where this report is, and if so, why was no action taken to implement its recommendations?

The Nandalochana committee report recommended ways and means to put an end to the game of "musical chairs" that is prevalent in sports controlling bodies at the moment, and also for the Ministry to control all foreign remittances now being sent direct to these bodies without any proper accounting systems.

They even suggested a fine or even a term of imprisonment if these bodies fail to inform the Ministry about foreign remittances. This committee also recommended that the accounts of controlling bodies be submitted to the Ministry every quarter.

Another committee was appointed by Johnston Fernando too, during Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNP administration. They too made several recommendations, but what has happened even to this report? Gathering dust somewhere in the Ministry I suppose.

Come, come Minister Kumaratunga, what is happening in your Ministry?

Treasury aghast

The Treasury is aghast at the staggering sum of Rs. 197,676,234 as capital expenditure for "equipment" for the 10th South Asian Games next year made by the NOC through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. I understand reliably that the Treasury is scrutinising very closely the monies asked for.

They (the Treasury) has already released Rs. 15 million, and are aghast at the NOC request for the sum of Rs. 40 million for the construction of an indoor sports complex on a piece of land near the Old Race Cource. They wonder how it could be built within such a short period of six months.

The Treasury are also studying the sum of Rs. 67 million that has been quoted for "equipment" for the 19 disciplines and whether this is really necessary and whether these controlling bodies had made a request from the NOC.

I would also like to pose a question to both the NOC and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. If any "equipment" is needed for both the Sugathadasa Outdoor and Indoor Stadiums, is it not the correct procedure for such a request for assistance come from the Sugathadasa Stadium Complex Authority (SSCA)? They (the SSCA) are completely unaware of this, and I wonder why the NOC are keeping the SSCA in the dark regarding this matter. Are there any "commissions" involved in procuring these "equipment"?

Also, what on earth is the need for two shooting ranges? Isn't the range at the Naval Base in Welisara sufficient where a sum of Rs. 8 million has been requested to "modernise" it? The other range (named as a training centre) is to be at the Sugathadasa Stadium premises at a cost of Rs. 7 million, and I understand that the Judo Association (on whose premises this is to be built) has filed action in court against this move. Furthermore, people living in about 50 homes adjoining the range too have protested to say that their lives are in danger.

Canvassing on

Canvassing already in anticipation of the annual general meeting of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is under way. A member of the National Development Committee (NDC) who is constantly "in the news" together with a person attached to the Shop at SLC headquarter's had visited Badulla and Moneragala for this purpose promising them "goodies" if they are elected.

Hong Kong Sixes

The Hong Kong Sixes is to be held on October 22 and 23 with SLC announcing a team of seven players and a manager, who is not only in the Interim Committee of SLC, but also a close relative of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Earlier, an eight-member team had gone for the Sixes, but it has always been that the cricketer doubling up as manager. Last year it was Ruchira Palliyaguru. When Sri Lanka entered the final against England, each Sri Lankan earned about Rs. 5 lakhs each, so this year, if Sri Lanka enters the final again, will the manager too be entitled to earn big money?

Indian "bookie" in town

An Indian "bookie" is alleged to have been in Sri Lanka during the recent Triangular series between the 'A' sides of South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

A former cricketer, representing a club from the outskirts of the metropolis (now a coach) had even gone to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to receive the Indian and even take him back on his return to India soon after the game at Moratuwa Stadium. During this particular game, the Indian was seen on his mobile phone constantly and seen in the company of a national selector too. What was their connection and was there any "betting" involved?

Adel as Secretary

The President of the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA), Adel Hashim, who also serves on the Interim Committee of SLC, has been tipped to take over the post of Secretary after the demise of Tryphon Mirando.

Is this for "favours granted" when the MCA, thought it fit to suspend Gangodawila only when he was found guilty of being employed at two establishments at the same time and playing for Nawaloka who won the Mercantile 'B' division final against Seylan Bank? No action was taken against Nawaloka when Seylan Bank should have been awarded victory.

Also down the grapevine comes the news that the Treasurer of Interim Committee of SLC, Kumar Weerasuriya, is in the process of 'calling it a day.'

Not paid

The Director Umpiring of SLC, Sudath Pasqual, has not made any payments to umpires and scorers for officiating in tournaments conducted by SLC for almost a year in some instances. I wonder whether SLC is "bankrupt" and when these monies are going to be paid.

Ministry sponsors

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, I understand, is to sponsor the National Swimming and Diving Championships of the newly appointed Interim Committee for aquatic sports for an undisclosed amount. The Interim Committee says that they have "no money" to conduct the Nationals and made a request to the Ministry, who obliged.

I wonder whether the Ministry will also oblige other controlling bodies who also lack the money to conduct tournaments?

Also, I understand that this Interim Committee are to select a pool for the forthcoming South Asian Games after the Nationals.

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