The suspicions between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Sports Ministry regarding some ‘controversial’ provisions in the Sports Law gathered momentum yesterday when the Sports Ministry charged that it was the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of misleading the international body.
In a press release by the Sports Ministry yesterday states that it was the NOC that had sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee challenging the country’s Sports Law which has stood for 40 years.
The move may jeopardize the development of sports in the country as the Sports Ministry may be compelled to take a decision on providing financial support to the 24 sports associations under the Olympic Committee, it further stated.
Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage will head a four-member committee to a special meeting with the IOC in Switzerland on November 27, and the ‘government is ready to safeguard the country’ there, the release said.
The impasse clearly puts a question mark over the NOC elections scheduled to be held on December 27.
Last week the IOC asked the Sports Ministry to review the country’s Sports Law which they say infringes the Olympic charter.
The IOC is concerned about the provisions in the Sports Law that stipulates that the accounts of the NOC and the National Sports Associations under it should be audited by the Auditor General. Another provision which has displeased the IOC is the ability given to the Director General of Sports who is directly under the Sports Minister, to sit at the NOC Executive Committee meetings.
“The letter (allegedly sent by the NOC) to the IOC has pictured the provisions of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 which have stood for 40 years, as political influence,” the press release said.
“The parliament has authorized the Auditor General to audit the accounts involving the money provided by the treasury for the development of sports in the country. This money is given to the Olympic Committee and the sports associations. It is customary to provide the Auditor General with the final audited accounts as to how the public money has been spent. The NOC has made a complaint to the IOC stating that this involvement of the Auditor General as political influence by the Sports Minister.”
The Sports Ministry communiqué also included a strong reminder to the NOC to check where it stands.
“The very plot of land where the NOC is housed belongs to the Sports Ministry. The Sports Ministry has spent 50 million rupees for the NOC building. The Sports Ministry has provided financial support for sportsmen and women, and sports officials representing various sports bodies under the NOC on their overseas tours. As a question has been raised about the audit of this money after 40 years, sportsmen and women and the sports associations need to pay their attention to this issue.”
Sports Ministry Secretary Anura Jayawickrama, Sports Ministry’s legal adviser Panduka Keerthinanda, Dian Gomes, deputy solicitor general of Attorney generals department Sumathi Darmawardena and Dr. Maiya Gunasekera are lined up to accompany Aluthgamage to Switzerland.
NOC to compromise with Ministry
In an effort to end the current impasse where the International Olympic Committee demand an urgent review of country’s Sports Law, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) yesterday decided to discuss the issue with Sports Ministry officials before heading to Lausanne, Switzerland on November 27.
The decision was reached last night when the NOC Executive Committee met to evaluate the nominations for the December 27 elections.
“They will discuss the issues with the Ministry of Sports in the hope of coming to a compromise before the meeting with the IOC officials. All what we asked and the IOC is demanding, is to leave interference out of sports,” an NOC source said.
Yesterday’s meeting was well attended where some officials who had not come for NOC meetings for more than three consecutive occasions turned up as they have handed over their nominations for NOC positions including that of the president.
In a strongly worded letter IOC demanded an urgent review of the Sports Law and the regulations thereafter before holding the election of office bearers on December 27.
If failed to reach a compromise at the scheduled meeting on November 27, Sri Lanka could face sanctions imposed by the IOC and the country will be banned from participation at international events.
