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.