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Olympics: Minister gave approval for only 8 officials

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1 September 2012 08:46 am - 61     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage lashed out at the National Olympics Committee saying that he had not given permission for 23 officials to accompany the seven athletes for the Olympics.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror the Minister said that he had approved only 8 officials to participate in the games.

“I had approved only 8 officials and 7 athletes. You will have to ask the Chairman of the Olympics Committee as to how the rest went because it was they who did everything. They only sent me 16 names for my approval and other than that I don’t know anything about it” he said.

When the Daily Mirror queried if any action was being taken in his capacity as sports minister, Aluthgamage said he had asked for a report on the matter and was awaiting it. ( Hafeel Farisz)

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  Comments - 61

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  • perera Sunday, 02 September 2012 05:50 AM

    SO HE IS AN INCOMPETENT MINISTER AS THE REST.
    NOTHING NEW

    Mason Saturday, 01 September 2012 01:23 PM

    This is a plain meaningless statement. Had the Minister said what action he had taken against those officials who had overridden his approval, we would have appreciated him as a man of principle.
    As in the past the whole thing would be swept under the carpet, as you will invariably find those who went do have the right connections.
    After all 250 went from here to bid for the Commonwealth Games and we did not succeed. With only 20 Australia succeeded.
    We are well known for going BIG and getting a 'pug'.

    RajasH Saturday, 01 September 2012 01:15 PM

    I know nothing I am only a minister by name you need to ask the family

    Dutugemunu-1 Saturday, 01 September 2012 01:19 PM

    This is hide and seek game by the minister.I presume that no one can go without his approval

    Chaminda Saturday, 01 September 2012 01:33 PM

    Next time around send 300 officials, even if single athlete does not take part in the competition because tax payers will pay for it without any complaints! We also saw a selector went for U19 world cup the same manner and the results were phenomenal!

    Jayadun De Mel Saturday, 01 September 2012 02:42 PM

    He is correct when he said "I DON"T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT".

    Gamini Saturday, 01 September 2012 03:10 PM

    No. They should be promoted for their achievements with out knowledge of good minister.

    Gamini Saturday, 01 September 2012 03:25 PM

    The president bana kiya kiya dummassa atheganava.

    Fusion Saturday, 01 September 2012 03:47 PM

    Its 23 officials for 7 athletes. Meaning it does not include the athletes. Therefore : 8 officials + 8 wives/girlfriends + 7 relatives + 0 Coaches = 23

    richardson Saturday, 01 September 2012 04:18 PM

    You bet, action will be taken before the next Olympics !

    peeda mossa Saturday, 01 September 2012 04:09 PM

    If you can not pull up errant officers for flouting your specific order, how can you people brag that you have a very powerful government ?

    Nero Saturday, 01 September 2012 04:40 PM

    The votes of Sri Lanka gave approval for 14 ministers. It that right?

    RR Saturday, 01 September 2012 05:11 PM

    It's simple. The minister should take action against the person responsible. If not he should resign.

    hawkins Sunday, 02 September 2012 01:34 AM

    Mr. Minister, what is the contribution you made by attendimg the London Olympics.

    Patriot Sunday, 02 September 2012 02:32 AM

    Why are you waiting for this long ? What kind of a Minister is this?

    A Nation run by FOOLS!!

    Dalu Banda Sunday, 02 September 2012 05:01 AM

    Minister shall we have Olympic in Hambanthota as we missed commonwealth. Cabral will jump and take the idea.

    Fefe Saturday, 01 September 2012 01:00 PM

    By the way 8 + 7 = 15. This also proves, that most of the "ministers" in Sri Lanka lacks even the basic math skills!

    Again... reports and disciplinary commissions.... FOR WHAT? A way to steal more innocent people's money?

    Miracle of Asia!

    Lobo Sunday, 02 September 2012 05:42 AM

    How many were coaches? All pina-cases to see the Olympics at our expense.

    ACA Sunday, 02 September 2012 08:45 AM

    Why there is no inquiry on how they sold Olympic tickets given to SL. No one knows what happen to these tickets.

    CSM Sunday, 02 September 2012 09:58 AM

    Yes . Pay back the money and use it to improve the sports in rural village schools.
    Please take action against the person responsible to prevent coaches accompanying their players.
    No more corruption Mr. Minister. This is our tax money you play with. This money belong to the people of this country. Not to henchmen of the minister.
    Also Mr. Minister if you do not know what happens in your ministry under your very nose u are not capable of continuing in that position.

    Simply most of the ministers of our country are incapable of sitting on that seats and wasting public money on their selfish lifestyles.

    This whole system should change to benefit common man not political henchmen and politicians.

    CSM Sunday, 02 September 2012 10:03 AM

    Get rid of this stupid ministers doing nothing at the top but waste money of tax payers

    CSM Sunday, 02 September 2012 10:07 AM

    President is dreaming of being the king until his death. Then his crown prince will take over. The ministers and their henchmen continue to plunder this country.

    CSM Sunday, 02 September 2012 10:10 AM

    Please understand that the minister is part of this too so how can he do anything when surely he had approved all the officials. Even though he says 8. He is the one to be sacked and all the officials who participated on tax payers money should never be included in public service.

    loxie Sunday, 02 September 2012 10:56 AM

    Aluthgamage only approved 8, MR another 8, Namal another 8 and Gota another 8... it all adds up!

    renu Sunday, 02 September 2012 04:24 PM

    Minister and the officials must have pocketed the spoils

    Ramiz Sunday, 02 September 2012 04:39 PM

    Mr. Minister, what report do you need, there were 23 jokers there for the whole world to see. The only report you need is an OPTICIANS report to improve your eyesight. So now did you appoint a committee to prepare this report. Why not a 7 member comprising of your cronies to do a investigation by travelling to London to finalize the report !!!
    Given the stupidity of Sri Lankans politics...that's possible as well....
    To think "we the people" voted for clowns like you !!!
    Guess we deserve what we get !!!

    ceylon Sunday, 02 September 2012 05:11 PM

    How could he take any action when they are the Govt goons

    alfred Sunday, 02 September 2012 06:14 PM

    HP la apey salli tika naasthi karanawa. Api thama booruwo munta chandey dunna ta.

    Ron Sunday, 02 September 2012 10:08 PM

    Yako umba nidiyaganada hitiyay .........

    Manik Monday, 03 September 2012 01:54 AM

    This shit Govt is wasting poor peoples' money and try to put blame on officials. In two months time we all will forget about everything and be happy. What a "Banana Republic"

    kim Monday, 03 September 2012 03:13 AM

    i think it is a new world record set by the sri lanka officials in ratio to sportsmen /women
    these officials are the real rogues of the sport ministry ,as i think he cannot remembered what he had told early to the media.
    they brought glory by winning all the bad name of mother lanka
    why the minister can ask them to pay back the cost and then only is is with a backbone minister?.

    Hewa Saturday, 01 September 2012 11:18 AM

    The buck stops at the Minister and it is his responsbility to " take action" against thoise who dified his clear instrcuctions. Please simply do not say that you are waiting for a report. What report ?.This is a simple matter and you do not ask for a detailed oroject report or the like to get at the culprits. What they have spent is " Peoples Money" and they should be held accountable as this is akin to a fraud; no less?.So please get going, set up some clear deadlines and most importantly let the country know what you did to the thieves.

    Sonali De Silva Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:18 AM

    Oh. The rest must have spent their own money. How silly of us not to think so, We are so good at passing the buck.

    Rohan Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:29 AM

    What a shame for the country. Every time when there is an international athletic meet lankan sports officials bickering. Finally athletes do not perform well for some reason related to this or that. Then comes excuses. what a shame. World is watching you. Why wouldnt the govt save the money and the name without sending incompetent athletes anyway.

    Sportsz Suckz Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:31 AM

    Its always the other guys fault.

    jagath Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:30 AM

    The present Chairman of the committee is there for his life time. Cannot we find another person????? These are al racteers

    Silva Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:51 AM

    Simple report/ - the Minister has the names of the 8 pople approved - Rest all pay the money Back..

    Marikkar Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:59 AM

    Olympic committee knows our country and its economy. Yet our well learned minister are not aware of it.

    Nodrog Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:16 AM

    You are the minister in-charge so don't pass the buck. No point talking now after they've gone and returned.

    Berty Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:08 AM

    This statement by a responsible Minister can only being considered`as one of the best jokes of the year so far.

    weha Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:37 AM

    mama danne ne
    mata mathaka ne

    C Basnayake Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:39 AM

    Is this minister even in that matter this Govt knows whats the meaning of the accountability? Wait fro report and do nothing. I sometimes wonder whether Sri Lankans are blind not realize this rot happening around them!!!!!!

    John Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:44 AM

    Your own answer just shows that you have lost control of Sport with everyone doing what they please and SPENDING what they please? No wonder there's no accountabiity.

    Anura Gunawardane Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:36 AM

    Dear Minister,

    We are small an Poor country. We participated in 4/5 sports. But i dont know how many Trainers was with the contingent. We dont have to send administrative staff like manager from Sri Lanka, we could have appointed some body from the Sri Lankan high commission or there you can find many sri Lankan who will volunteer do it. We should have spent these money Development of Sport in Sri Lanka.

    Lanka Shantha Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:50 AM

    Ok ask those unauthorized people to pay back the peoples money to the Government with interest or file case against them..

    Rania Saturday, 01 September 2012 10:40 AM

    We can wait and wait......SL style.....nothing will happen and this will continue at the next Olympics too. Sad!

    Nimal Saturday, 01 September 2012 09:01 AM

    Still the minister is waiting for the report to take actions against. No doubt minister is also doing lot of underhand business with his powers, if not he will take actions immediately. I don't think any action will be taken. Typical Sri Lanka!

    Janaki Kalansuriya Saturday, 01 September 2012 11:10 AM

    A little bird sang a song that these individuals were at your party catered by Hilton, last week?

    Ammo Saturday, 01 September 2012 11:10 AM

    So he can sack the buggers who went without his permission..........simple, no point talking about it - Like Nike, just do it....................

    Just Another Citizen Saturday, 01 September 2012 11:36 AM

    This guy must have just woken up and watched the highlights of the Olympics. How can he say he doesn't know what happened? He isn't worthy enough, but then again neither are the others in high positions.

    renu Saturday, 01 September 2012 11:18 AM

    You did appear in a Photograph with the Athletes and the officials, can you name who you approved

    Priyantha Saturday, 01 September 2012 11:32 AM

    Sri Lankans are only preachers but wrong-doers. This is just an example.

    Crazy Horse Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:06 PM

    Crisis after crisis. What is the President doing about his men making a mess of everything they do?

    Crazy Horse Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:09 PM

    To continue, the President tolerates all this because his men have one thing he can't do without:- their BIG mouths!

    Aiyo salli Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:00 PM

    7 athletes + 8 officials + 8 wives/girlfriends = 23

    Rom Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:10 PM

    Has any one have an idea about the Para Olympics, Hilarious when i saw the parade and i was thinking 7=30!!!! it was about 10 to 15!!!!!!!!!!!! OMFG

    Mohamed Naleem Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:23 PM

    At the end it is just a waste of time of our braved athletes. gone with wind. May god help our community.

    Disbeliever Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:13 PM

    Even 8 officials for 7 competitors ?!!! I would have sent two, One male manager and one lady chaperone. The minister should check whether the officials were even present at the events our people participated in - if not - fine them the entire cost of their trip and accomodation and throw them in jail for 6 months.

    Vasanthie Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:04 PM

    What a shame to our country. This is how tax payers money have being spent. Both UNP & SLFP are on the same business.

    Bandara Perera Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:16 PM

    Yes, The minister expect us to be stupid to beleive him in what ever he says. Call the Olympic committee and take a tough decision then & there. This proves either minister is also involved in this issue OR the minister has no back bone.

    Dollar Boy Saturday, 01 September 2012 12:06 PM

    WHAT A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS, NO PERFORMANCE BUT LOT OF OFFICIALS ,CORRUPT TO THE CORE


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