NOCSL yet to start election process Growing concern as current term nears its end

By Susil Premalal
The current four-year term of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) is officially scheduled to end on December 28, 2025.
Several officials of NOCSL-affiliated National Associations say they are prepared to take legal action if the current NOCSL administration continues beyond December 28, 2025, without the full approval of both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Sri Lanka Minister of Sports.
According to the IOC’s global framework, every National Olympic Committee functions on a four-year term. Following each Olympic Games, it is mandatory to appoint a newly elected administration.
However, despite the need to call for nominations for the 2025–2029 NOCSL term by now, NOCSL officials have not taken any action, the affiliated Association leaders point out.
As per the Sports Act and the NOCSL constitution, a Special General Meeting (SGM) must be convened six weeks before the election to appoint an Election Committee with the approval of the Executive Committee. Reports indicate that no such step has been taken.
If the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections are not held before December 28, the current administration will automatically lose its authority under the Sports Act and the Olympic Charter.
Affiliated National Association officials say they plan to submit verbal and written complaints to the Minister of Sports and the IOC in the coming days if an SGM is not held within the next week to appoint the Election Committee for the 2025–2029 cycle.

Additionally, several former Olympians plan to request the Ministry of Sports and the IOC to immediately initiate the next NOCSL election process.
Since current President Suresh Subramaniam has already completed two full four-year terms (eight years), he is ineligible to contest again under Sports Ministry regulations.
Sources also state that due to ongoing legal issues involving some current NOCSL officials, the administration has requested the IOC to allow a temporary extension of its term, citing difficulties in holding elections on schedule.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror learns that two presidents of major national sports associations in Sri Lanka are preparing to contest for the next NOCSL presidency. One is a newly appointed head of a national sports body, while the other leads one of the world’s most popular sports. Both prospective candidates are noted for being relatively young.