Football chief opens out, warns Olympic body digging its own grave

FFSL President Jaswar Umar tells it all to the media

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s National Olympic Committee (NOCSL) could face a serious administrative paralysis both locally and internationally if immediate steps are not taken to conduct its long-overdue election, Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) president Jaswar Umar warned.

Addressing a special media briefing in Colombo, Umar said the failure of the current NOCSL president Suresh Subramaniam and his executive committee to initiate the election process on time would result in the automatic lapse of all officials’ terms on December 27, 2025. 

He cautioned that unless an interim committee comprising competent authorities is appointed and swift action is taken to hold the election, Sri Lanka risks becoming inactive — and potentially blacklisted — within the international Olympic movement.

The current NOCSL executive committee was elected in 2022 for a four-year term (2022–2026). However, several officials have since been suspended following allegations of financial misconduct, prompting a forensic audit. Despite this, Umar alleged that the present administration has taken no concrete steps to conduct the next election for the 2026–2029 term, instead citing the need to await guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

According to Umar, the delay has created an unprecedented risk of international sanctions against Sri Lanka. He noted that FFSL, one of the oldest federations affiliated with the NOCSL, along with several other national associations, has already informed the Minister of Sports, senior officials and the IOC about the current situation. Umar further accused the NOCSL President of exercising authority arbitrarily by suspending several officials who were lawfully elected in 2022 and appointing preferred individuals to key executive positions without proper legal approval, elections, or Annual General Meeting (AGM) consent. 

He also raised concerns over alleged financial mismanagement, including the use of the 2025 NOCSL budget without AGM approval and the spending of funds from a Rs. 100 million fixed deposit at the People’s Bank without authorisation. Among the allegations highlighted were irregular appointments to six executive committee vacancies and the use of an NOCSL letterhead to question FFSL’s actions regarding informing the People’s Bank of alleged financial irregularities and allegedly using an unacceptable signature method.

Responding to these allegations in an interview with Daily Mirror, Subramaniam said elections could be held at any time and confirmed he would not seek re-election and stated that the only obstacle was the pending forensic audit report involving former officials, which has not yet been finalised. 

Subramaniam added that the IOC has been informed and that an election would be held whenever the IOC directs. Addressing concerns about the Rs. 100 million fixed deposit, Subramaniam said the funds were not meant to remain idle but to be used for NOCSL requirements when necessary. He said that there have been periods in the past when NOCSL elections were not held for several years.

Subramaniam emphasised that with major international events such as the 2026, Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympic Games approaching, the NOCSL’s priority is to ensure Sri Lankan athletes’ participation and preparation.