Now, karate joins the rot

From the frying pan to the fire while athletes and parents hoodwinked over bogus South Asian meet

Kasun Wijekoon reveals to the media the current state of karate administration in Sri Lanka along with Athula Jayasinghe chief instructor of the karate federation

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s karate has been pushed into serious decline following the suspension of the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, according to Kasun Wijekoon, Chief Adviser of the Japan Karate-Do Hakuakai Organisation.

Addressing a media briefing convened to highlight what he described as the deterioration of karate administration in the country, Wijekoon alleged that the two interim committees appointed by the Sports Minister since the federation’s suspension had failed to make any meaningful contribution to the development of the sport.

He claimed that the first interim committee, headed by retired Deputy Inspector General of Police MH Marso, remained inactive for several months before stepping down. According to Wijekoon, the second interim committee has similarly failed to introduce any development programmes during the past six months.

“This situation is the responsibility of the current Sports Minister,” Wijekoon said.

“The present interim committee, chaired by Dhammika Kasturimudali, has not implemented a single meaningful programme since taking office. He does not listen to the other committee members and acts independently, even disregarding the Minister’s authority. 

“Two committee members have already resigned while four others have submitted a detailed letter to the Sports Minister outlining their concerns. To our knowledge, no action has yet been taken,” said Wijekoon.

Wijekoon also questioned the selection process for Sri Lanka’s team for the upcoming South Asian Karate Championship scheduled to begin in Bangladesh on July 15.

He alleged that athletes and parents had been misled after an Under-14 category was included during the selection process, despite no such event existing in the official South Asian Championship programme.

“Parents and young athletes were invited to trials for an Under-14 category that does not exist at the championship. They have been misled,” he said.

Wijekoon further stated that several complaints regarding the selection process had been submitted to the National Sports Selection Committee chaired by Sriyani Kulawansa.

According to Wijekoon, committee chairman Dhammika Kasturimudali had been requested to appear before the National Sports Selection Committee on July 2 to respond to the allegations.

“From what we understand, he has no intention of appearing before the committee. He appears to believe he is above everyone, including the Sports Minister,” Wijekoon alleged.

He also accused the current interim committee, appointed by the Sports Minister on February 7, 2026, of violating the constitution of the Karate-Do Federation, which has governed the sport for more than 50 years.

“There have also been reports of unlawful withdrawals from the federation’s bank accounts. The responsibility for all of this lies with the Sports Minister, who appointed an interim committee that lacks accountability and respect for the law,” Wijekoon said.

So far there had been no response from the Sports Minister, the interim committee or the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation’s current administrators to the claims made by Wijekoon.