Subramaniam continues crusade against mafia to clean up NOC ‘Maxwell turned NOC into a den of corruption’

By Allaam Ousman 

Suresh Subramaniam

In a blistering exposé, National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Suresh Subramaniam has outlined a catalogue of alleged corruption and malpractice under the former Secretary General, Maxwell de Silva, stating that systemic failures, financial misconduct, and personal vendettas had undermined the integrity of Sri Lankan sports for years.

Subramaniam revealed in an interview with the Daily Mirror that complaints against Maxwell had existed since the early days of his tenure. However, the extent of the allegations only came to light during the NOC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2023, where many issues were underscored by findings in the Auditor General’s report.

Among the accusations are charges of financial fraud, misuse of power, disappearance of gym equipment, and irregularities during international events such as the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. According to Subramaniam, a formal complaint raised by a Member of Parliament prompted further investigation into several Executive Committee members, including Maxwell.

With mounting pressure and accusations surfacing in Parliament, Subramaniam said he had no choice but to seek assistance from then Sports Minister Harin Fernando. The Minister reportedly agreed to defend the NOC in Parliament only on the condition that an independent investigation would be launched.

Contrary to Maxwell’s push for an internal probe by ExCo members, Subramaniam insisted on an impartial inquiry, arguing that it would be inappropriate for accused individuals to investigate their own ranks. A three-member independent panel, which included Sports Ministry Director General Shemal Fernando, was subsequently appointed by the Minister.

“Six of them - Maxwell de Silva, Chandana Liyanage, Suranjith Premadasa, Gamini Jayasinghe, Dampath Fernando and Nishantha Piyasena - used Rs. 17.5 million per diem despite everything being provided during the Games. We have not spend this kind of amount on any athlete or federation,” the report revealed.

Following the independent findings, Subramaniam referred the report to the NOC’s Ethics Committee, emphasising his inability to act unilaterally on disciplinary matters. The Committee, he said, validated the report’s findings and recommended a provisional suspension pending further investigations by the Bribery Commission, CID, and the Special Investigations Unit.

“Anywhere in the world, when someone is under serious investigation, suspension is the norm,” Subramaniam said, defending the NOC’s decision.

The five-year ban on Maxwell, however, stemmed from a separate incident which happened in Thailand during the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) Annual General Meeting where he was advised by the IOC not to meet certain unscrupulous officials which he disregarded. Subsequently the IOC held an inquiry and also declared the OCA AGM null and void.

Subramaniam also disclosed that Maxwell had written a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) without the president’s knowledge - an act deemed unconstitutional and insubordinate. “The IOC requested our Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations regarding the contents in the letter to IOC,” he said.

The letter, sent without presidential approval, violated global NOC protocols, which require the president to authorise all official correspondence. Subramaniam claimed the letter was not only unauthorised but also critical of the IOC, placing Sri Lanka’s position within the global Olympic framework at risk.

Subramaniam did not mince words when describing the impact Maxwell and his associates had on Sri Lankan sport.
“He criminalised this place,” he said. “They were milking the system, not working for the athletes or the country. None of them have a background in sport - not even at school level.”

According to him, this network of corruption had far-reaching effects. “We haven’t won a single Olympic medal since Susanthika Jayasinghe. These people ruined the careers of countless athletes.”

Subramaniam alleged that Maxwell used his influence to create a mafia-like stronghold over sports federations, rewarding those who cooperated and sidelining dissenters. He said those who stood by him - like Niloo Jayathilaka and Joseph Kenny - were in the minority, with most ExCo members siding with Maxwell.

Addressing criticisms about the delay in taking action, Subramaniam noted that he had never served in the NOC prior to his presidency. Upon assuming office in 2018, he faced a backlog of issues, including the absence of audited accounts between 2009 and 2017. These were only completed and available for review in 2020.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic hampered operations, forcing virtual meetings and reducing overall engagement. It was only during the 2023 in-person AGM that members from various federations - including boxing, canoeing, cycling, and handball - raised concerns stemming from the long-overdue audit reports.

Subramaniam also accused Maxwell of dismantling the earlier Ethics Committee during this period to avoid accountability. “He knew that if the report went to Ethics, he’d be in big trouble,” he said.

Subramaniam concluded by urging authorities to recover what he described as stolen assets and misused funds. “This is not about me or any ExCo member. This is about the athletes. What was taken from them must be returned.”

In his view, his mission has been one of clean-up and accountability, even at personal risk. “People have warned me about my safety. But when you’re doing the right thing, you don’t back down.”