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Government loses millions as athletes flee: Court imposes travel ban
By Bhagya Silva
Colombo, Oct. 17 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today issued a travel ban against ten athletes who had travelled to the 2022 Commonwealth Games but failed to return to Sri Lanka, allegedly causing a financial loss to the government.
According to the unit, investigations are being carried out into the ten athletes who had travelled to the United Kingdom to participate in the 2022 Commonwealth Games but failed to return to Sri Lanka after the event and did not participate in the competitions they were sent for.
Presenting facts before court, Chief Inspector Supun Widanage, the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports Offences, stated that a total of 116 Sri Lankan athletes participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
He told court:
“Your Honour, 116 athletes from Sri Lanka participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England. The Cricket Board contributed around Rs. 10 million, while the remaining expenses were borne by the government. The contingent comprised 116 athletes, including six wrestlers, five judo players, eight boxers, and four volleyball players. In addition to the athletes, the team included 28 coaches, 11 officials, and four medical officers. ”
He further said that among them, three wrestlers, two judo players, two boxers, and two volleyball players had absconded and failed to return to Sri Lanka.
“Investigations have been launched regarding these ten athletes, who have caused a significant loss to the government and are reportedly still residing in the UK,” he added.
The investigating officer told court that the probe is being conducted based on a complaint lodged by the Director General of Sports.
Officers further stated that charges have been filed under Sections 5 and 6 of the Prevention of Sports-related Corruption Act, No. 24 of 2019, over allegations of corruption connected to the incident.
The travel ban was imposed on the following athletes: Asela de Silva, Chamila Dilani, S. Chathuranga, Y. Nicholas, Anjana Rashmika, S. Malintha, Chanaka Fernando, Sriyanthika Fernando, Sanjeewa Rajakaruna and Jeewantha Wimukthi Kumar.
The officer requested the court to impose a travel ban on the suspects and noted that red notices are to be issued against them soon.
After considering the facts presented, the Chief Magistrate ordered that a travel ban be imposed on the ten suspects involved in the case.
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