Minister denies political interference

13 April 2015 04:55 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Says Sri Lanka is in the process of amending the Sports Law and Regulations in line with Olympic Charter

Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) categorically denying that any pressure was exerted to any sports body or federation by the Sports Ministry as alleged in its letter to him on April 7, 2015.

“We categorically deny that any pressure had been exerted to any sports body or federation by our Ministry,” Minister Dissanayake wrote.

The Minister was responding to a two-page letter sent by IOC which asked Sri Lanka to reverse its decision to hold elections under controversial provisions of the Sports Law in order to ensure autonomy and jurisdiction of national sports associations. Failure to do so would leave Sri Lanka at risk of international status, they warned. This letter was followed by another warning from IOC member, FIFA, the world governing body for football.

The letters come in the wake of a Sports Ministry decision to hold elections under controversial provisions of the Sports Law and the subsequent regulations made on January 15, 2013.

In a three-page letter addressed to the IOC and copied to all International Sports Federations and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC), Minister Dissanayake says he would in no way permit any interference or politicisation of any sports body in Sri Lanka.

“We wish to inform you that we will on our part comply with the roadmap created on these new timelines stated above and assure you that the present government of Sri Lanka and the Ministry will ensure and take every possible step to work very closely with the IOC, ASOIF, ANOC, OCA and all other International Sports Federations and that we will no way permit any interference or politicisation of any sports body in Sri Lanka,” the Minister’s reply on April 10, 2015, stated.

Explaining the circumstances that led to the implementation of the Sports Law and the subsequent regulations to conduct the election of office bearers, Minister Dissanayake says a joint committee appointed to amend the Sports Law and the Regulations to fall in line with the guidelines of the IOC, international bodies has made significant progress.

“This process would take a minimum of the months, till June 30, according to the Committee. Thereafter, the draft has to be sent to the Attorney General and the Legal Draftsman’s Department prior to being placed for debate and approval in parliament. This process would also take a minimum of 4 to 6 months. Further, Sri Lanka will hold a General Election to elect new members of Parliament by end of June or July and expediting the process of passing the new Sports Law seems impossible due to all these factors,” the minister wrote.(Champika Fernando)

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Comments - 7

sarath Wednesday, 15 April 2015 09:37 AM

Minister Sir, Why you are not born to your mind that excellent professional sportman - a -z effective administrative Commander H. U. Silva circulating to your searching belt? Pl call him and find his suitability to the subject matter.

ponil Wednesday, 15 April 2015 09:55 AM

shame on you,your father newer brought cricket to that 3 rd level.

Tony Fernando Wednesday, 15 April 2015 11:58 AM

"Little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep or taste not the pioneer spring. Its shallow draft intoxicate the mind and drinking deep will spurs us again."There is a lot to learn from this poem for the Hon. Minister in handling affairs which have a bearing on international conventions which are absolutely necessary for any nation desirous of engaging in activities of the global community. The previous Minister due to lack of knowledge and misguided by henchman, disregarded the conventions and the country is now facing the consequences. It is high time a review is made and prudent decisions are made for the greater good of the nation.

Neil Tuesday, 14 April 2015 03:06 AM

Deny! Deny! Deny!we are the fools!!

Sinhaya Tuesday, 14 April 2015 08:02 AM

This is another mess created by appointing friends and known ones. via DM Android App

Rahul Thursday, 16 April 2015 05:48 AM

We are proud of you Navin as Sports Minister You are doing a good job cleaning up the dirty stables created by thecrooked MARA regime, like the decision you made to get rid of parasites like Nishantha Ranatunge who was an accomplice to the racketeering Namal, Yoshita Rohitha combine involved with the crooked Carlton Sports club.and its T.V, Rights etc We.Respect your Father who who brought our Cricket to the World Test Stage. Good luck Navin we the sports loving people are with you We hope the Good Daily Mirror publishes this response.

Kumara Dharmarathne Tuesday, 14 April 2015 12:31 PM

If there is no political interference then why IOC say there is political pressure. Like the past Sport Ministers,please do not try to hide the truth,if there is any foul play you may rectify it. We do not want ministers of the current government under President MS to follow the theory that they are always right. Ministers can always make mistakes,if there is anything like that please admit it and rectify same.

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Minister denies political interference

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