Cycling promoter Amal Suriyage petitions Sports Ministry

Veteran cycling promoter and president of the Mountain Biking Association Amal Suriyage has fired a protest letter to the Director General of the Sports Ministry calling for a probe into the conduct of the Cyling Federation of Sri Lanka before the commencement of the current South Asian Games.

Suriyage has alleged in the letter that the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka had purchased bikes to the tune of Rs 5 million by not following proper tender procedure that kept his registered company away from the bidding process.

Suriyage said the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka had instead of calling for the bid from his registered company had sent him a notification to bid through his personal email address.

Suriyage has further alleged in his protest that the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka had awarded the tender to one of its cronies. He claimed that the investment was a waste as the cyclists who rode on the bikes purchased had been placed last at the SA Games Time Trial whereas two cyclists won gold medals by using their old bikes.

Suriyage had also conveyed to the Sports Ministry director general that a probe must also be conducted into the overall activities of the Cycling Federation which he alleges purchase sub-standard bikes and equipment by calling for bids from their cronies without international warranties.