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Sports minister vows to bring law preventing the sale of medals

7 June 2017 02:29 pm - 37     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government intends to introduce a law preventing athletes from auctioning or selling medals which have been won at international events, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

He said the government had to bear a big cost for each player or athletic to win a medal at an international level. “It is unfair to sell their medal for their own needs as the government was also involved in their achievement,” he said.

Speaking of Olympic medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe’s decision to auction her silver medal, won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Minister said that Susanthika does not need to sell her medal and that she could work at the ministry as they were paying her a salary.

“I think Susanthika’s decision to auction the medal was not a sensible decision. There was no need to do so,” he said.

Jayasekara said if athlete wanted to auction her medal the Sport Ministry could have purchased it. “If a foreigner purchased her medal, it would be a disgrace to the country,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Susanthika Jayasinghe earlier said her decision to auction the medal was made after the Sports Ministry suspended her salary in April. She suspended the auction soon after as the president had promised to intervene in the matter.  (Darshana Sanjeewa)


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  Comments - 37

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  • BUSHEL Wednesday, 07 June 2017 11:18 PM

    medal is won by her genuinely. Rethink who a politician is.

    Citizen Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:04 PM

    Athletes should not sell their medals because they are something to be proud of. On the other hand politicians selling their duty free vehicles does not matter as it is something to be ashamed of.

    sunnyman2020 Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:08 PM

    What else can we expect from our parliament? These are the people who are leading the country. First fine parliament members who jump from one political party to another for millions and millions. Medal can be only pea nuts with political jig saws

    Dickie Bird Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:12 PM

    These days the Govt Ministers / MPs are on a high...Loads of Narcotics are brought into or passing through the country.Parlimentarians sound intoxicated. Talking nothing but laws and the country under water and masses are suffering.Nothing else to talk.

    Kadiya Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:15 PM

    Mush ado about a piece of metal!!!

    Nihal Gunatilake Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:01 PM

    Hello Minister- First of all let us know (the taxpayers of Sri Lanka) how much you got selling the vehicles you got duty free? - depriving lot of money to the public of sri lanka. Let that poor girl to do whatever she likes. The medal belongs to her not to the Government or the people of Sri Lanka. Now you have startwed to control the personal behaviour of people of this country? Keep quiet. Get some advice from Professor GL. bye- Nihal Guneatilake

    TJ Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:15 PM

    If a person has grievances, the authorities have to listen to them and try to solve them. Unfortunately these guys are behaving arrogantly, as if they were born to rule the country for ever.

    S.P.RAMKUMAR Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:38 PM

    Hon. SirPlease put special cabinet paper to allocate Pension for Olympic Silver medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe. If you can't you have no authority to stop selling medals.

    Dictatorship Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:50 PM

    The medal belongs to the athlete. It is his or her decision what to do with it. The state helped with the minister' education. So can it forbid him to sell his house?One thing each minister must try to do- try not to appear foolish.

    Bolt Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:58 PM

    As if it is the major problem the country is facing now. Do something productive via DM Android App

    IVJ Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:56 PM

    This guy is talking crap. What disgrace is he talking about?

    iemerald Thursday, 08 June 2017 05:15 AM

    what a load of BS. these ministers are such dullards it beggars believing

    chandra Thursday, 08 June 2017 07:20 AM

    Pease be mindfull Mr. Minister you are sports minister of the country not minister of Susie via DM Android App

    Sujith Thursday, 08 June 2017 09:20 AM

    Please do not undermine the Susanthika's Talent , You and I cant do it

    sujith Thursday, 08 June 2017 09:25 AM

    I am more worried because there was no media person with backbone to ask how the hell Ministers are selling their duty free cars ,

    Roman Thursday, 08 June 2017 11:34 AM

    Remember Muhammad Ali threw his Olympic gold medal into the Ohio River!

    Avenger Thursday, 08 June 2017 03:34 PM

    Very well said. A really good point.

    Avenger Thursday, 08 June 2017 03:37 PM

    Ajith, Susanthika won a medal and not a meddle. Guess you probably got confused because what the "good" minister is doing is called meddle.

    Avenger Thursday, 08 June 2017 03:39 PM

    Very good point. He threw it because he didn't want to be limited by that. He wanted to rise above his Olympic achievement.

    SriLanka Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:42 PM

    Piss off, this is a free market. She can do whatever she wants with her medal that she rightfully earned. Its nice living in a socialist state under YAPHALHANA, who adheres to enemies of this island instead for natives

    Banda Wednesday, 07 June 2017 03:13 PM

    Law for this law for that. Is this govt going to solve all the with laws. How about a law to prevent nature from making floods via DM Android App

    BUSHEL Wednesday, 07 June 2017 03:15 PM

    FIRST BRING LAW TO PREVENT THE PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO SOLD THE DUTY FREE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT IS COST OF TAX PAYERS MONEY

    bushel Wednesday, 07 June 2017 03:23 PM

    FIRST BRING LAW TO PREVENT THE PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO SOLD THE DUTY FREE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT IS COST OF TAX PAYERS MONEY

    ceylon Wednesday, 07 June 2017 03:47 PM

    let any one to sell whatever they own.whats the matter here. via DM Android App

    Pf Wednesday, 07 June 2017 03:47 PM

    It is good to have laws.We and I think the whole Sri Lankans except few respect Susantika Jayasinghe for her great achivement.How about imposing a law of minimum qualification to contest as MP or MMC.This is also a need of the hour. via DM Android App

    Don Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:15 PM

    What a stupid clown of a minister!

    Well said Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:15 PM

    Well said.

    Steve Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:19 PM

    Well said. This also mean the professionals too,

    ANTON Wednesday, 07 June 2017 02:56 PM

    WHAT ARE THESE MEDALS ......... OUR COUNTRY AND HER PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOLD TO CHINA.

    Lanki Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:46 PM

    A medal is not an asset of the State. Its won by an individual and belongs to an individual. There is no way the courts will allow such a law to be enacted. If such a law can be enacted then laws can be formed to block the sale of any other personal assets such as houses, lands, cars etc.

    nick Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:48 PM

    yes yes we have so much Madel to protect dont waste time just coz one brainless money hunger women did it so stop grading all the other madel holders (very few) in to the same boat as her instead find a way to bring more medals to the country by improving the sports via DM Android App

    Vipin B Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:49 PM

    How about creating a law that abstain ministers from formulating dumb laws as a remedial action to suppress the fundamental issues faced by the people?Even better, how about having a law that stops dumb people entering politics?

    Hiran Wednesday, 07 June 2017 05:26 PM

    If government has also contributed to achieving the medal, I suggest the sales proceeds to be shared between the government and the athlete at the ratio of 1% to government and 99% to the athlete

    Dayan Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:03 PM

    Well Said...........Dear

    Amaris Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:04 PM

    Ministers are there to make money and athletes are there to represent the country. It's that simple.

    AjithZ Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:12 PM

    She should be free to do whatever she wants with the meddle. This is happening in other countries as well. No need of any law to stop that. As already mentioned by number of readers, please bring in some laws to prevent selling of the duty free vehicles by politicians and some minimum qualifications to enter the parliament.

    FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:14 PM

    Dayasiri - I bet you will lose if a fundamental rights case is filed on this matter. Probably the SC may rule that the proposed law is not in keeping with the constitution. Try your luck and leave with your tail between your legs (no pun indented ! )


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