Though the National Olympic Committee election hangs in the balance after the International Olympic Committee issued an ultimatum demanding an urgent review of the Sports Law.
Its Executive Committee on Tuesday rejected two out of nine candidates for the post of vice president and also rejected the nomination of one treasurer candidate for irregularities in their nomination papers.
Accordingly Sarath Ekanayake, president Sri Lanka Basketball Association will not be allowed to contest for a six vice-president posts along with Poorna Kahingala, secretary Weightlifting Federation.
This will leave only seven candidates battling for six vice-president posts at the election of office bearers scheduled for December 27.
Ruwan Keragala from Fencing Association also had his nomination rejected leaving three candidates vying for the treasurer’s post.
The decisions were taken at Tuesday’s Executive Committee meeting where the usually calm and composed meeting took a scene of a mini battle-field with words exchanged between the NOC top brass and a group of executive committee members trying to take the control of the country’s most powerful sports body into their arms.
The NOC election has taken a great interest this time around with the incumbent chief relinquishing his position, while a ruling party legislature gunning for the top post with the veteran Olympic administrator, Rohan Fernando.
Though his commitment to the Olympic Movement is questioned by his detractors, MP Dilan Perera, President Volleyball Federation will be looking to head the Olympic movement in Sri Lanka for the next four-year period.
Though the date is fixed and campaigns are in full swing, holding the election is largely uncertain due to threats from the IOC which asked local officials to remove certain controversial regulations from the Sports Law.
The Sports Ministry representatives and NOC officials will meet the IOC officials on November 27 in Lausanne, Switzerland to put an end to the current impasse.
