“The President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka, Ranjith Rodrigo is not interested in developing football in Sri Lanka – he is only interested in gaining important positions in AFC & FIFA,” a disgruntled Vice President of FFSL Sunil Senaweera told the media.
Sunil Senaweera led panel including Rohitha Fernando – Technical Committee Chairman, Thilina Panditharathne – former FFSL President, Hurley Silveira – Regional Development Committee Chairman, Nizam Packeer Ali – former national player were voicing their dissatisfaction at the current FFSL regime.
The media briefing was called to enlighten the media and thus the public about the current status of football in the country epitomized by Sri Lanka 172nd ranked country lost to the 209th and last ranked team Bhutan in the 2018 World Cup Qualifier.
“We helped Ranjith Rodrigo become President in 2013. When he came to power he said not to think about the past but the present and take football forward. As time went by we realized what we did was a mistake. A grave mistake,” Senaweera added.
“His main objective is not to develop Sri Lanka football but to get high ranking positions in the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA. A good example of his power hungriness is when Sri Lanka lost the first leg against Bhutan and were travelling to Bhutan for the second leg without going with the team and supporting, he went to FIFA to work-out a plan to keep him in power of FFSL for some more time.” He went on to say.
It was further revealed that President Ranjith Rodrigo is unqualified to even contest for the post by the constitution of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka as he was not a football player – which Rodrigo himself has mentioned in public as well. Question remains as to how he bypassed the constitution to become the President.
“Rodrigo along with the former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage acted like thugs. Mr. Rodrigo would invite the former minister to Ex-Co and other meetings where isn’t allowed to and drowned our voice with his threatening remarks and thuggery.” Rohitha Fernando mentioned joining in the conversation.
Ranjith Rodrigo in the recent past had mentioned over and over again that because of court cases development of football gets stalled and that foreign parties as well as some from inside the FFSL are behind it. To clear the air between the court cases and development of football former President of FFSL and legal committee member of AFC and FIFA Thilina Pandithrathne took over the proceedings.
“The past and on-going court cases have absolutely no effect on the development of football. No court cases has been put to stop football, it is for the administration. As a matter of fact these cases are filled because of Ranjith Rodrigo’s dictatorship like work and decisions,” the former referee and coach mentioned.
“Any organization should have a financial report for the year and it should be audited by auditor general. The FFSL doesn’t have one. Rodrigo going against the law and acting in his own will. He started leagues for the fun of it without proper structure. No league has a constitution.
“FFSL lost 4 of the 5 court cases because he (Rodrigo) fired workers without proper inquiry. Also the Federation lost thousands of rupees for lawyer fees and compensation.
“I am the president of the Galle League. Mr.Rodrigo gave jersey sets & financial assistance but not to the Galle League. He also forged documents and I have proof. It is a criminal offense.” Pandithrathne finally added.
