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Straight Talk by Lal Gunasekera

President Chandrika kumaratunga is likely to appoint an independent panel to inquire into various allegations made by a group of civic conscious individuals against the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka and certain top officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

In a letter addressed to President Kumaratunga last Sunday (October 9), this group of individuals have made allegations against the trio of NOC officials namely Hemasiri Fernando (President), Cmdr (rtd) H.U. Silva (Secretary) and Lakshman Ranasinghe (Treasurer).

In amending the Sports Law No.25 of 1973, the communique states that Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga allowed himself to be misled by the Ministry Secretary, S.Ranugge, and NOC chief Fernando to permit the latter who has completed two terms (eight years and nine months) to continue in office, and that the draft legislation presented at committee level (without a quorum) was vehemently opposed by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arjuna Ranatunga.

Minister Kumaratunga had then replied to say that Hemasiri Fernando (NOC President) had verbally promised him that he (Fernando) will not contest for the post of President again in the NOC, and to permit the legislation to be passed.

Contrary to the promise made to Minister Kumaratunga, Fernando, is to contest the Presidency of the NOC again at its annual general meeting scheduled for November.

The letter to President Kumaratunga also states that the audited statement of accounts (quarterly and annually) stipulated in the NOC constitution have not been submitted.

The NOC is also accused of irregular activities with funds received as tsunami aid from various international bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and draws her attention to the circular of the Secretary to the President on December 29 last year (2004) where all relief from overseas should be credited to the National Disaster Relief Fund established by the government and also applies to the Finance Act No.38 of 1971.

The letter to President Kumaratunga says that a colossal amount of money collected by the IOC and sent to the NOC of Sri Lanka as tsunami aid has been fraudulently retained by the NOC and that no official declaration has been made. Only a sum of Rs.500,000/= was distributed among 52 students supposed "to be victims" of the tsunami on Boxing Day, while a sum of Rs.35 million has been retained by the NOC for the construction of a building for its headquarters estimated at Rs. 83 million.

The letter also states that an immediate investigation by the CID and/or the Presidential Investigation Unit appears to be necessary, and pending investigations, the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, S.Ranugge, should be transferred to the "Pool" at the Ministry of Public Administration.

This group also draws the attention of President Kumaratunga to the recommendations for punishment made against eight Ministry officials by the Presidential Investigation Unit, which has not been implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Finally, they appeal to President Kumaratunga that all financial documents of the NOC to be taken charge of, and for any Interim Committee to be appointed.

Meanwhile, Minister Kumaratunga, arrived in the country from England only a couple of days back and the Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), Saman Amarasinghe, was to have discussions with the Minister regarding the amended Sports Law where the Minister did not even consult the NSC. The NSC have also not yet written to Minister Kumaratunga on this subject, although they decided about it about 10 days back. I understand that this letter is yet being drafted.

Resignation a blessing

The Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Janaka Bandara Tennekoon, who was elected by a mere two votes as president of the Sri Lanka Athletic Association (SLAA) in March, seems ignorant of the rules and regulations governing the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), which stipulates that they (the IAAF) will only communicate with democratically elected body.

Minister Tennekoon in his letter of resignation (not yet received by either the SLAA or the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jeevan Kumaratunga) has wanted Minister Kumaratunga to appoint an Interim Committee to run the affairs of SLAA. He is supposed to have addressed a lengthy three-page letter to minister Kumaratunga giving details of the reasons for his resignation.

In this particular letter, Minister Tennekoon, has lambasted the present set of office-bearers of SLAA (some of whom he accuses of being dishonest) and athletes who are divided into various groups.

Minister Tennekoon had a very poor tenure as president of the Table Tennis Association too, a few years back, and I cannot just understand the reasoning why certain officials of the SLAA wanted him (Minister Tennekoon) to head the track and field body. Knowing very well Minister Tennekoon's track record of governing a controlling body, it was a very surprising decision to bring him into the SLAA in the first instance.

After nearly seven months as head of SLAA they (the very persons who were responsible in bringing Minister Tennekoon as President of SLAA) were contemplating to get him out. But he resigned before that.

Minister Tennekoon promised many things (typical of politicians) like constructing a three-storied building to house the headquarters of SLAA, Japanese equipment and scholarships for our athletes, and most importantly, get the much needed finances. He failed miserably in all these and even went further to say that he did not make any promises.

Yet on the SLAA, the CEO, Karunaratne Samarasinghe, an appointee of Minister Tennekoon himself, is now accused of financial misappropriation. This is regarding the air tickets for the Asian Championships staged in South Korea where three Sri Lankan athletes decamped. He is alleged to have paid Hemas Tours a sum of Rs. 2.6 million by a cheque signed by Minister Tennekoon himself without the approval of the SLAA's Finance Committee.

A cost of a ticket on Malaysian Airlines (Hemas are the agents) was Rs. 61,200 whereas a Baseball team had paid only Rs. 55,000 also to South Korea - a difference of Rs. 6,200 per ticket. The funniest part of this affair was that the entire sum of Rs. 2.6 million was paid to Hemas Tours even before the Sri Lanka contingent left for South Korea. What was the almight hurry?

There is an audit query too on this payment and the finance committee have been instructed to inquire into this matter and even hand over the investigation to the Bribery Commission. But there is one big snag. Karunaratne Samarasinghe has not put a step into the SLAA headquarters since the cheque was given to Hemas Tours. Why? The question arises whether there was any commissions involved in the purchase of the return air tickets? He too is supposed to have sent a letter of resignation, but this too has not been received by the SLAA. Funny isn't it!

Another committee was appointed by SLAA to probe into the affairs of its Treasurer, H.W. Nimalasiri, on various irregularities, including the inability of three youth to participate at the World Youth Games in Morocco over two months back. I understand that the inquiry is over, but the report was not handed over to the SLAA at its Executive Committee meeting held last Tuesday. Why and who is responsible?

Even certain accounts that Nimalasiri submitted to the Exco sometime back were rejected for the first time in the history of the SLAA.

Now its Super Carnation

For many years, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), used the world famous Kookaburra balls form Australia for its tournaments, but now comes the news, that the Super Carnation variety is been used instead in the current Twenty-20 and limited-over tournaments. The Kookaburra balls were given to be used for Sri Lankans to familiarise themselves with this particular variety which is used extensively in international cricket.

The Super Carnation balls have been purchased from the Cricket Shop in Kollupitiya owned by a former Treasurer of SLC, whose brother-in-law has close connections with the Interim Committee of SLC.

Three vacancies

With the demise of Tryphon Mirando, Secretary of SLC, Adel Hashim of MCA fame is acting. But, there are two more vacancies to be filled that of Treasurer, Kumar Weerasuriya, and Rienzie Wijetilleke, who both tendered their resignations.

Already, one Rajapakse (an Accountant by profession) who is the Treasurer of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) has been brought in to fill the vacancy created by Weerasuriya. But the question arises as to who appointed him? Was it the Interim Committee of SLC or Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga?

For the two vacancies created by Wijetilleke and Mirando, I understand that two persons already associated with the Interim Committee members are eyeing these posts for themselves. One is the "infamous" personality from the national Development Committee and the other from the Cricket Shop who were canvassing votes in Badulla and Moneragala recently in anticipation of an annual general meeting.

Sister-in-law absorbed?

Now comes the news that the sister-in-law of a member of a member of Tour Oraganising committee of SLC who smuggled liquor into the VIP enclosure of the Rangiri Dambulu Stadium during the Indian Oil Cup Triangular recently, has been absorbed into the Organising Committee for the Under-19 World Cup to be staged in Sri Lanka next year (2006) and even paid an allowance. How come? Has this payment been approved by SLC.

The Tour Organising Committee member too has been "taken out" from this particular committee and put into the committee to organise the Under-19 World Cup. Interesting isn't it?

SLC in court?

Kalutara PCC's President, Anura Weerasinghe, is contemplating taking legal action against the Interim Committee of SLC for the "delaying tactics" been adopted and non-payment of Rs. 365,000/= due to the club from SLC.

A bunch of disgruntled members of Kalutara PCC had protested at Weerasinghe's election as President of Kalutara PCC to SLC, who in turn have stopped payment of Rs. 197,750/- due to the club. Even match expenses etc have not been paid to Kalutara PCC by SLC.

Weerasinghe has handed over 76 letters (documents) to SLC who have initiated an inquiry against him. They have met twice and the inquiry is yet to be completed, and on legal advice, Weerasinghe, is contemplating taking SLC to courts.

Who suffers? Its the club and its cricketers.

Lewke sideline?

Are there any manoeuvring going on to sideline Sri Lanka's No.8 Dushan Lewke from playing against Kazakasthan in the Rugby World Cup (Asia qualifying) game later this month in Almati?

He should be the automatic choice to play in this position, but at a recent practice session at Longden Place before the 'pool' went for a residential camp at Diyatalawa, Lewke, was "changed" and replaced by that superb "open side" flanker Dilantha Wijesekera of CH. The reason according to one of the two selectors present - Rohan Abeykoon (the other being Nazim Mohamed), Lewke was "late" in gathering the ball when the scrum was wheeling. What an absurd statement (or excuse) to make!

From information that I gather, Lewke, who had represented CH in the Caltex League switched over to Kandy Sports Club for the Caltex Clifford Cup tournament, for reasons known to all. His sidelining is due to this fact alone - nothing else. Both are members of the CH, while Abeykoon is in its' Rugby Committee too. Also, Sri Lanka's other flanker Danushka Perera was coached by Nazim Mohamed while at St. Joseph's.

The matter about being "slow to gather the ball" is entirely in the hands of coach, George Simpkin, and not that of the selectors to decide. The third selector (Chaminda Rupasinghe) was not present. Since the Chairman of selectors, Dr. Maiya Gunasekara, resigned several weeks back, no one has been appointed in his place. why?

This is just revenge nothing else, but I hope saner counsel will prevail in the end. It will be recalled that Dushan Lewke played in the New Zealand 'A' division team (Hurricane) whose coach Rub Yule had stated that Lewke is a "role model for Sri lanka".

Doyens of Badminton

Dr. A. R. L. Wijesekera is the only former player to have been honoured by the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) as one of the five "Doyens of Badminton" during the recent Satellite Championships at a ceremony held at Hotel Continental. He is a former national champion, Thomas Cup player and President, SLBA, who has been actively involved in the sport for over 50 years.

The first Secretary of the SLBA, Basil de Silva, too was honoured, and it will be remembered that both Wijesekara and De Silva recieved Meritorious Awards from the International Badminton Federation (IBF) too several years back.

The other three were Dr. R. Vigneswaran, the late E. R. S. R. Coomarasamy and N. M. de Silva.

All well and good, but the funniest part of it was that the present office-bearers of the SLBA did not know who E. R. S. R. Coomarasamy or Raju Coomarasamy were? The latter was of UN fame, while the former was a famous lawyer. The SLBA had got in touch with a family member of the late Raju. Can you believe it?

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