Colombo – June 13
Sri Lankan national footballer Mohamed Thilham, who recently made headlines after displaying a “PRAY FOR FREE PALESTINE” message on his undershirt during post-match celebrations, has now been officially penalized by international football authorities.

Following Sri Lanka’s 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers on June 10 at the Colombo Racecourse Stadium, Thilham—a non-playing substitute—unveiled the message, drawing both praise and criticism from various quarters.

⚠️ AFC Sanctions Player with USD 2,000 Fine

FIFA, in coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has now issued a formal disciplinary notice to the player, imposing a USD 2,000 fine. This letter, according to sources within the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), was sent addressing to Thilham, underscoring AFC stance on politically charged expressions at official matches.

According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, players are prohibited from displaying political, religious, or personal slogans during matches or official ceremonies. While Thilham’s gesture occurred after the final whistle, FIFA and AFC treat any action within the stadium environment as part of official conduct.

⚽ FFSL Under Scrutiny for Disciplinary Action

FFSL President Jaswar Umar previously stated that the act “was not authorized by the federation” and “violates international football disciplinary norms.” He also confirmed that the FFSL would take internal disciplinary action against the player.

However, this incident has reignited public debate over the role of athletes in social advocacy and the limits imposed by international sports law. While some supporters see Thilham’s actions as courageous and morally driven, others have raised concerns about the player’s career stability and future opportunities under increasing scrutiny.

📝 Editorial Insight

At Sri Lankan Sports TV, we initially chose to withhold the content of the message in our match coverage—out of responsibility to the player’s career and to respect global sports protocol. However, the message went viral after several social media users circulated the full image, seemingly with the intention of sparking controversy.

The resulting spotlight has unfortunately led to a formal penalty, underscoring the real-world consequences that athletes may face when international regulations intersect with personal conviction.

In continuation of Sri Lankan Sports TV’s exclusive coverage of the Kusala Sarojini Inquiry Report, this feature focuses on the financial irregularities uncovered within the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL)—which played a central role in the nation’s football crisis.

The Special Inquiry Committee, chaired by Retired High Court Judge Mrs. Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, exposes how over a decade of misusing FIFA and AFC development funds directly contributed to the collapse of Sri Lankan football.

“It could be observed that financial procedure which follows proper methodology has not been maintained in the Football Federation of Sri Lanka since before 2014.”
— FIFA Sri Lanka Inquiry Report (2023)

Millions in Global Funding – Little to Show on the Pitch

Between 2018 and 2022, the FFSL received consistent international grants, including:

• USD 500,000 annually from FIFA
• USD 500,000 annually from the AFC
• USD 100,000 annually for equipment purchases
• USD 200,000 for air tickets for international competitions
• COVID emergency funding during 2021 and 2022

However, the report confirms that most of these funds were misused or misappropriated, with little to no investment in grassroots development or player welfare.

“Although FFSL had a Chartered Accountant, the financial powers were concentrated among elected officials, and payments were made without transparency, contrary to proper accounting practices.”
— Sri Lanka Inquiry Report, p. 10

Highlights of Financial Mismanagement

Ticket Scandals & Undocumented Spending

• Rs. 16 million was spent on 230 Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 tickets, but:
  • No records of buyers
  • No receipts
  • No profits to FFSL
• Rs. 12 million paid for footballs that were never delivered; transaction done via WhatsApp—no contract or supplier identified

“Not only were proper procurement methods not followed, in many cases there was no documentation at all.”
— Inquiry Committee

Reckless Dollar Transfers Amid National Crisis

• During Sri Lanka’s 2022 dollar shortage, FFSL moved USD 500,000 to a rupee account without Executive Committee approval, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 75 million.

“Transfer of dollars without a justifiable need during a high exchange rate period inflicted a significant financial loss on the Federation.”
— Report Section: Financial Control

Crony Contracts & Fake Tenders

• Catering contracts were awarded to individuals connected to former FFSL executives without calling quotations.
• In most instances, approvals were made based on verbal instructions or internal memos, bypassing required board procedures.

Ghost Coaches, Unused Staff

A coach hired for the U-23 national team was paid Rs. 200,000/month, even though no team was ever formed.

• “Coordination officers” across Sri Lanka were paid monthly with no service rendered.
• PAYE taxes were paid (Rs. 3.3 million) for foreign coaches with no clear deliverables.

“Despite making these payments, youth development remained stagnant and the national teams were not properly formed or trained.”
— Committee Observation

Rs. 100 Million Used as Election Bribe?

• A Rs. 100 million fixed deposit—intended as a financial reserve—was used to send 73 league officials to Malaysia, allegedly in exchange for future votes.

“This action was considered as a bribe given to them with the purpose of getting votes in the future.”
— Page 11, Report

A System Without Checks

The Committee notes that former FFSL President Mr. Jaswar Umaru Lebbe held dual powers as President and Chairman of the Finance Committee, enabling unchecked control over finances.

“This situation was extremely inappropriate and harmful.”
— Inquiry Report, p. 16

Payments were routinely authorized by Mr. Jaswar and a few close allies, without proper board oversight or documentation.

The Fallout – A Sport in Decline

As a result of this mismanagement:

• Sri Lanka’s men’s team plummeted to 207th in FIFA rankings by 2022
• FFSL was suspended by FIFA in January 2023
• National youth programs, women’s football, futsal, and coaching development were completely inactive

A Glimmer of Recovery – Ranking Now 196th

Since early 2023, now, Sri Lanka’s FIFA ranking has climbed to 196th—a 10-place improvement. However, the report warns that structural reform is essential to ensure this progress is not lost.

“Financial control and administration must be independent, transparent, and free from political interference.”
— Official Recommendation by Kusala Sarojini-led Committee

What Must Happen Now?

The committee strongly recommends:

1. Forensic audit of FFSL finances since 2012
2. Criminal complaints under Sections 386, 389, and 403 of the Penal Code
3. Legal reform to prevent future abuse:
   • Term limits for officials
   • Ban on combining finance and executive powers
   • Mandatory procurement audits
4. Quarterly public financial disclosures

“A system must be developed to prevent elected officials from having unilateral control over funds.”
— Report, p. 17

The Final Word

The Inquiry, led by Justice Kusala Sarojini, leaves no doubt:
Sri Lanka’s football didn’t fail from a lack of funds—it failed because those funds were looted by those entrusted to protect the game.

“If transparency, legal action, and governance reform are not implemented, this country’s football will have no future.”
— Inquiry Report, Final Section

Coming Up in Part 3:
How fake leagues, ghost clubs, and vote-buying tactics poisoned the electoral system of Sri Lankan football.

A Special Inquiry Committee appointed by the Ministry of Sports has uncovered widespread financial mismanagement, administrative irregularities, and systemic corruption within the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), leading to the country’s lowest-ever FIFA ranking

In response to years of growing concerns over the decline of football in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs appointed a Special Inquiry Committee in February 2023 to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

This move followed Sri Lanka’s suspension by FIFA in January 2023 and decades of complaints from players, clubs, and stakeholders regarding alleged corruption, mismanagement, and irregular financial practices within the FFSL.

Who Conducted the Report?

The five-member Special Inquiry Committee was appointed by the then Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Hon. Roshan Ranasinghe, under powers granted by the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973. The panel was tasked with submitting a report within two months on key areas, including:

• The delay in adopting a new constitution (requested by FIFA and AFC since 2014),
• Misuse of funds and financial malpractice from 2018 onwards,
• The proliferation of fake leagues for vote manipulation,
• Irregularities in staff recruitment, administration, and tournament operations,
• Recommendations for the reform and development of football in Sri Lanka.

Members of the Inquiry Committee:

1. Mrs. Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena – Retired High Court Judge (Chairperson)
2. Mr. Kingsley Fernando – Former Ministry Secretary
3. Mr. Sudath Nagahamulla – Retired DIG of Police
4. Mr. Ananda Peiris – Retired Rear Admiral
5. Mr. Susil Rohan Ramanayake – Independent member

• Secretary to the Committee: Miss Shalini Roshana Fernando (Attorney-at-Law)

The Committee reviewed financial records, procurement practices, testimonies from over 20 witnesses including former FFSL presidents, accountants, players, and ministry officials, and scrutinized evidence from internal audits and third-party reports.

Ignored Reforms and Illegal Governance

• FIFA and AFC requested constitutional reforms in 2014, but FFSL officials deliberately delayed it for nearly a decade.
• The constitution was only passed on 22 September 2022, by an executive committee whose term had already expired.
• A Special General Meeting was conducted without legal authority, making the constitution null under Sri Lankan law.
• The 2021 FFSL elections were held without proper procedures, violating both local and FIFA rules.
• The Committee noted that officials used COVID-19 as a cover, despite holding Zoom meetings and going on foreign trips.

💸 Financial Misuse on a Shocking Scale

The Committee uncovered extensive financial misconduct by successive FFSL administrations:

📉 International Grants Misused

• FFSL annually received:
  • USD 500,000 from FIFA
  • USD 500,000 from AFC
  • USD 100,000 for equipment
  • USD 200,000 for air travel
• Despite these funds, there was no youth football development or improvement in player welfare.

Key Financial Irregularities

• Rs. 3,500 per cake was spent in 2014 during meetings.
• Rs. 100 million paid to LSR Company, linked to a politician, without tender for the 2021 Four Nations Tournament.
• USD 500,000 transferred during Sri Lanka’s dollar crisis in 2022, leading to an estimated Rs. 75 million loss.
• 230 World Cup 2022 tickets bought (Rs. 16 million), but no records on how or to whom they were sold.
• 48 million rupees fraud by a former FFSL officer (2013–2017) is still under-investigated.
• Salaries paid to inactive coaches and ghost staff, including a coach for the under-23 team, which was never formed.
• Payments to family-linked companies, friends, and political allies for catering, security, and equipment—with no procurement process.

Fake Leagues and Electoral Fraud

• FFSL created and sustained “nominal leagues” — inactive football clubs and leagues used only to secure votes during elections.
• Over 80% of registered leagues were inactive, yet received funding and voting rights.
• Fake leagues were used to rig elections in favour of certain office-bearers.
• Active leagues were ignored, with limited support for player development.

National Team and Player Development in Ruins

• Sri Lanka ranks 206th out of 211 globally and last in Asia (45th).
• No structured inter-school tournaments or training systems exist.
• Only two local tournaments were held from 2017 to 2022.
• No youth football activity (U12, U14) was recorded in 2021.
• 10 out of 27 national players have no full-time employment.
• Coaches from abroad were hired without evaluation or contracts, with USD 6,000 monthly salaries.
• The women’s national team ranks 155th out of 156 globally.

Committee Recommendations

The committee, chaired by retired High Court Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena, made urgent recommendations:

Legal & Governance

• Immediate forensic audit of FFSL finances.
• Submit findings to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Fraud Investigation Division.
• Amend the FFSL constitution to:
  • Limit office terms to 4 years max
  • Ban the President or Secretary from heading the Finance Committee
  • Introduce strong anti-fraud measures

Football Development

• Establish youth training centers in all districts.
• Make it mandatory for every league to support women’s football.
• Create performance-based funding for leagues and clubs.
• Collaborate with the Schools Football Association for age-level competitions (U12 to U20).
• Launch at least 4 international tournaments per year for both men’s and women’s teams.

Transparency and Structure

• Require regular audits, quarterly reporting, and transparent procurement processes.
• Publish financial statements to all leagues every 3 months.
• Ban fake leagues; allow only clubs that meet minimum standards to vote or receive funds.

Final Thought

The FIFA Inquiry Report is a damning reflection of how greed, corruption, and negligence ruined Sri Lanka’s football potential. The sport, once considered third most popular in the country, now languishes without direction. The way forward demands courageous reforms, fresh leadership, and strict accountability.