Sri Lanka ordered to hold NOC election

By Susil Premalal

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally instructed the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) to conduct its overdue election of office bearers and Annual General Meeting (AGM) and complete the process no later than the end of April 2026, the Daily Mirror learns.

The directive was conveyed in writing to NOCSL president Suresh Subramaniam in a letter dated January 12, 2026, signed jointly by James McLeod, IOC Director for NOC Relations and Husain Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The four-year term of the present NOCSL Executive Committee (2021–2025) officially ended on December 27, 2025. 
But the failure to hold the AGM and election for the 2025-29 term prompted several NOCSL-affiliated national associations to lodge complaints with the IOC and the Ministry of Sports.

In its correspondence, the IOC and OCA acknowledged that a forensic audit initiated by the NOCSL several months ago to examine financial operations and internal management has yet to be completed. 

The letter stressed that the pending audit cannot be used as justification to indefinitely postpone the AGM or election.

The letter also reiterated a strict governance directive previously communicated on January 15, 2025, stating that any NOCSL member or official currently under investigation or subject to disciplinary sanctions must not be involved in NOCSL affairs.

Accordingly such individuals are not eligible to attend the AGM or contest positions in the upcoming election in keeping with the ethical standards and principles of the Olympic Movement, the IOC and OCA emphasised.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror Subramaniam claimed that steps were already being taken to expedite the election process in full compliance with IOC and OCA instructions.

“NOC elections are conducted under the supervision of IOC-appointed observers,” said Subramaniam. “This year, the IOC and OCA are overseeing more than six major international Games and their officials are extremely busy. We intend to propose three possible dates and select a suitable election date based on their availability.”

The IOC and OCA further instructed that the AGM and election of office bearers must be conducted strictly in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the IOC-approved NOCSL Constitution.

The letter has also directed Subramaniam to circulate the communication among all NOCSL member associations in the interest of full transparency while expressing confidence that all stakeholders would cooperate to complete the process without further delay in the best interests of Sri Lankan athletes and the Olympic Movement.