FINA suspends SLASU committee

by Sajeewa Jayakody

FINA, the world governing body for aquatic sports, has immediately suspended the newly elected committee of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) and has decided to retain its links to aquatic activities in Sri Lanka through the former office bearers prior to the conduct of elections. SLASU following a FINA directive postponed the conduct of the Annual General Meeting and elections scheduled for May 15, 2015 informing the Sports and Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake, its membership, nominees and delegates.

However, a section of its member clubs seizing this opportunity conducted the elections to the acceptance of an observer of the Department of Sports Development.

This caused FINA to send an official delegate to meet with the minister, sports authorities and other stakeholders and report to the FINA Executive.

FINA’s Executive Director Cornel Marculescu in a letter to Sports and Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake, noted, “From the evaluation of the facts, documentation and meetings, the election of the SRI NF on May 15th 2015 did not respect the principle of autonomy as per FINA rule BL 14 and C 8.2.6.

Therefore, FINA suspends the new elected board members (appointed by the Ministry) and keeps the existing office bearers under the direct control of FINA, until the SRI NF conducts new elections with the supervision of FINA and without the interference of the Ministry.

FINA advises that another election occur under the supervision of a FINA delegate to ensure the compliance with FINA Rule BL 14. The new elections shall be conducted after the amendment of the Sri Lanka Sports Law 1973 and Regulations by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Tourism and Sports.”

Speaking for the existing office bearers Akhry Ameer, General Secretary of SLASU said,

“We appreciate FINA’s expeditious handling of this matter through Mr Majid Waseem’s visit. These occurrences broke down the momentum of our aquatic activities. We will inform the membership of FINA’s decision and hope to resume our activities with the least possible delay.”

SLASU is the Sri Lankan affiliate national federation of FINA since 1977.