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Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Initiates Historic Steps to Lift FIFA Sanctions on Sri Lanka Football
The Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka has undertaken unprecedented efforts to lift the FIFA sanctions imposed on the country’s football federation, marking a significant turning point for the nation’s sports landscape. After months of rigorous negotiations and extensive reforms, the Minister’s proactive approach has culminated in the restoration of Sri Lanka’s footballing reputation on the international stage.
As part of the Minister’s commitment to resolving the suspension, he made a crucial communication where he had a productive meeting with FIFA’s high-ranking official. they discussed the way forward plan and exchanged ideas to restore integrity to the Football Federation Sri Lanka (FFSL). through Zoom technology on 10th July 2023, both parties delved into various key points to pave the way for the lifting of sanctions and rejuvenating Sri Lanka’s football landscape.
The following points were discussed in the Zoom meeting:
i. Approval of statutes approved by the FFSL on 22nd September 2022:
The approval of statutes passed by the FFSL on 22nd September 2022 marks a significant step in the process of lifting the FIFA sanctions. The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has acknowledged the importance of having a proper governing framework in place for the Football Federation Sri Lanka (FFSL) to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to best practices.
To honor the spirit of democracy and promote fair representation, the Ministry has agreed to register the statutes approved by the FFSL. However, as part of a forward-looking approach, the Ministry has also recognized the need for potential improvements and amendments to the statutes to address any shortcomings or gaps that may have arisen in the past.
As such, the condition of amending the statutes after electing the new committee aligns with the provisions of the Sri Lankan Sports Act. This provision ensures that the statutes can be reviewed and updated under the guidance of a newly elected committee that represents the collective aspirations and vision of Sri Lanka’s football community.
The Sri Lankan Sports Act provides a framework for the democratic election of officials to governing bodies, including the FFSL. By holding elections to establish a new committee, the Ministry seeks to provide the opportunity for fresh perspectives, inclusive decision-making, and a clear mandate to govern the affairs of the football federation.
The Ministry’s commitment to amending the statutes post-election reflects a comprehensive approach to the revival of Sri Lanka’s football governance. It demonstrates a willingness to adapt, learn from past experiences, and embrace positive changes for the betterment of football in the country.
By striking a balance between recognizing the previous work done by the FFSL and incorporating improvements through democratic processes, the Ministry aims to lay a strong foundation for a transparent and robust football administration that is in line with international standards.
The approval and subsequent amendments of the statutes, in accordance with the Sri Lankan Sports Act, signify a collective effort to ensure that the FFSL operates with integrity, accountability, and efficiency. This commitment to good governance is an essential component in the process of reinstating Sri Lanka into the global football community and reestablishing the nation’s credibility in the world of sports.
Through this approach, the Ministry envisions a football ecosystem in Sri Lanka that fosters talent development, promotes sporting excellence, and upholds the values of fair play and inclusivity, inspiring the nation’s youth and uniting communities in the shared love for the beautiful game.
ii. Allowing the FFSL administration to run its affairs independently:
During the meeting between the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and FIFA, a crucial topic of discussion was the autonomy of the Football Federation Sri Lanka (FFSL) administration during the transitional period leading up to the election of a new committee. The Solicitor General raised a pertinent point seeking clarity on the scope and responsibilities of the “FFSL Administration.”
In response, FIFA clarified that the term “FFSL Administration” specifically refers to the staff members of the football federation who possess the necessary expertise, experience, and knowledge to handle the day-to-day activities and operational affairs of the organization. Importantly, FIFA’s clarification emphasized that the “FFSL Administration” does not encompass the elective committee.
Understanding the importance of having a competent administration to ensure continuity and stability during the transitional period, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs agreed to appoint a competent committee to run the FFSL’s affairs. This committee would consist of capable individuals who can effectively manage the day-to-day operations of the federation in the absence of an elected committee.
Moreover, to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and adherence to democratic principles, the Minister committed to organizing an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) through this appointed committee in accordance with the Sri Lankan Sports Act. The EGM will serve as a platform for stakeholders to convene and discuss the necessary steps to proceed with the election of a new committee for the FFSL.
Through this well-considered approach of appointing a competent committee and organizing the EGM, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs demonstrates a commitment to fostering a transparent, accountable, and effective football administration in Sri Lanka. The collaborative efforts between the ministry, FIFA, and the football community are geared towards promoting the growth of football, nurturing talent, and elevating Sri Lanka’s presence on the international football stage.
iii. 4-year mandate and appointed General Secretary:
The agreement on a 4-year mandate and the appointment of a General Secretary without further negotiations represents a significant step in restoring football’s integrity in Sri Lanka. This decision demonstrates the Ministry’s commitment to providing stability, continuity, and effective leadership within the Football Federation Sri Lanka (FFSL).
4-Year Mandate: The decision to grant a 4-year mandate to the elected committee reflects the Ministry’s belief in the importance of long-term planning and sustainable governance for the FFSL. A 4-year tenure allows the elected officials to work on implementing their vision, strategies, and policies to develop football in the country. This mandate period ensures that the committee has ample time to execute projects, evaluate outcomes, and make necessary adjustments for sustained progress.
Overall, the agreement on a 4-year mandate and the appointment of a General Secretary as the CEO exemplifies the Ministry’s commitment to the revitalization of football in Sri Lanka. By providing a stable and efficient governance structure, the Ministry aims to foster a conducive environment for football’s growth, enhance its reputation, and empower the nation’s youth through the beautiful game.
Through these decisions, the Ministry seeks to restore public trust in the FFSL and inspire confidence in its ability to manage the sport in a professional, transparent, and responsible manner. The collaborative efforts between the elected committee, the General Secretary, and the Ministry will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter future for football in Sri Lanka.
Following this highly productive meeting, Hon. Roshan Ranasinghe issued an Extraordinary Gazette, numbered 2342/09, to accept the above-said conditions with FIFA. Consequently, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Sri Lanka has been added to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers draw and sent an email stating that FIFA will advise the Ministry on the way forward plan to lift the suspension.
The Sports Ministry of Sri Lanka, under the guidance of the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, is resolute in its determination to foster transparency, good governance, and fair play within the country’s football ecosystem. The reinstatement into the FIFA family heralds a new chapter for Sri Lankan football, and the Ministry calls upon all stakeholders, media, and citizens to rally behind this positive transformation.
Further, competent committee powers were described below.

ශ්රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සම්බාධක ඉවත් කිරීමට ක්රීඩා හා යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යවරයා ඓතිහාසික පියවරක් අරඹයි.
ශ්රී ලංකාවේ ක්රීඩා සහ යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යවරයා සුවිශේෂී සන්ධිස්ථානයක් සනිටුහන් කරමින්, රටේ පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයට පනවා ඇති FIFA සම්බාධක ඉවත් කිරීමට පෙර නොවූ විරූ උත්සාහයක් ගෙන තිබේ. මාස ගණනක දැඩි සාකච්ඡා සහ පුළුල් ප්රතිසංස්කරණවලින් පසුව, අමාත්යවරයාගේ ක්රියාකාරී ප්රවේශය ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු නාමය හා කීර්තිය ජාත්යන්තරයේ ප්රතිෂ්ඨාපනය කිරීමට හැකිවී තිබේ.
අත්හිටුවීම විසඳීමට අමාත්යවරයාගේ කැපවීමේ කොටසක් ලෙස, ඔහු FIFA හි ඉහළ පෙළේ නිලධාරියා සමඟ ඵලදායී හමුවක් පැවැත්වූ අතර එහිදී තීරණාත්මක සාකච්ඡා රැසක් සිදු කළේය. ඔවුන් ඉදිරි සැලැස්ම පිළිබඳව සාකච්ඡා කළ අතර ශ්රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ (FFSL) අඛණ්ඩතාව ප්රතිස්ථාපනය කිරීම සඳහා අදහස් හුවමාරු කර ගත්හ. 2023 ජූලි 10 වැනි දින Zoom තාක්ෂණය හරහා, සම්බාධක ඉවත් කිරීමට සහ ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු භූමිය පුනර්ජීවනය කිරීමට පාර කැපීම සඳහා දෙපාර්ශ්වයම විවිධ ප්රධාන කරුණු සොයා බැලූහ.
Zoom රැස්වීමේදී පහත කරුණු සාකච්ඡා විය.
- FFSL විසින් 2022 සැප්තැම්බර් 22 දින අනුමත කරන ලද ප්රඥප්ති අනුමත කිරීම:
FFSL විසින් 2022 සැප්තැම්බර් 22 දින සම්මත කරන ලද ප්රඥප්ති අනුමත කිරීම FIFA සම්බාධක ඉවත් කිරීමේ ක්රියාවලියේ වැදගත් පියවරක් සනිටුහන් කරයි. විනිවිදභාවය, වගවීම සහ හොඳම භාවිතයන් පිළිපැදීම සහතික කිරීම සඳහා ශ්රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සම්මේලනය (FFSL) සඳහා නිසි පාලන රාමුවක් තිබීමේ වැදගත්කම ක්රීඩා හා යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යාංශය විසින් පිළිගෙන ඇත.
ප්රජාතන්ත්රවාදයට ගරු කිරීම සහ සාධාරණ නියෝජනය ප්රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා, FFSL විසින් අනුමත කරන ලද ප්රඥප්තියක් ප්රතිනිර්මාණයට අමාත්යාංශය එකඟ වී ඇත. කෙසේ වෙතත්, ඉදිරි දැක්මක් සහිත ප්රවේශයක කොටසක් ලෙස, අමාත්යාංශය විසින් අතීතයේ ඇති වූ කිසියම් අඩුපාඩු හෝ හිඩැස් ආමන්ත්රණය කිරීම සඳහා ප්රඥප්ති වැඩිදියුණු කිරීම් සහ සංශෝධනවල අවශ්යතාවය ද හඳුනාගෙන ඇත.
එනිසා නව කමිටුව තෝරා ගැනීමෙන් පසු ප්රඥප්ති සංශෝධනය කිරීමේ කොන්දේසිය ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩා පනතේ විධිවිධානවලට අනුකූල වේ. ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු ප්රජාවේ සාමූහික අභිලාෂයන් සහ දැක්ම නියෝජනය කරන අලුතින් තේරී පත් වූ කමිටුවක මඟපෙන්වීම යටතේ ප්රඥප්ති සමාලෝචනය කර යාවත්කාලීන කළ හැකි බව මෙම විධිවිධානය සහතික කරයි.
ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩා පනත FFSL ඇතුළු පාලන ආයතන සඳහා නිලධාරීන් ප්රජාතන්ත්රවාදී ලෙස තෝරා ගැනීම සඳහා රාමුවක් සපයයි. නව කමිටුවක් පිහිටුවීම සඳහා නිලවරණය පැවැත්වීමෙන් අමාත්යාංශය උත්සාහ කරන්නේ පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ කටයුතු පාලනය කිරීම සඳහා නැවුම් ඉදිරි දර්ශන, ඇතුළත් තීරණ ගැනීම සහ පැහැදිලි ජනවරමක් සඳහා අවස්ථාව ලබා දීමයි.
පශ්චාත් මැතිවරණ ප්රඥප්ති සංශෝධනය කිරීමට අමාත්යාංශයේ කැපවීම ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු පාලනයේ පුනර්ජීවනය සඳහා පුළුල් ප්රවේශයක් පිළිබිඹු කරයි. එය රට තුළ පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාවේ උන්නතිය සඳහා අනුවර්තනය වීමට, අතීත අත්දැකීම් වලින් ඉගෙන ගැනීමට සහ ධනාත්මක වෙනස්කම් වැලඳ ගැනීමට ඇති කැමැත්ත පෙන්නුම් කරයි.
FFSL විසින් සිදු කරන ලද පෙර කාර්යයන් හඳුනා ගැනීම සහ ප්රජාතන්ත්රවාදී ක්රියාවලීන් හරහා වැඩිදියුණු කිරීම් ඇතුළත් කිරීම අතර සමතුලිතතාවයක් ඇති කර ගැනීමෙන්, ජාත්යන්තර ප්රමිතීන්ට අනුකූල විනිවිද පෙනෙන සහ ශක්තිමත් පාපන්දු පරිපාලනයක් සඳහා ශක්තිමත් පදනමක් දැමීම අමාත්යාංශයේ අරමුණයි.
ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩා පනතට අනුකූලව ප්රඥප්තිවල අනුමැතිය සහ පසුකාලීන සංශෝධන, FFSL අඛණ්ඩතාව, වගවීම සහ කාර්යක්ෂමතාවයෙන් ක්රියාත්මක වන බව සහතික කිරීමට සාමූහික උත්සාහයක් සනිටුහන් කරයි. යහපාලනය සඳහා වූ මෙම කැපවීම ගෝලීය පාපන්දු ප්රජාව තුළට ශ්රී ලංකාව නැවත ස්ථාපිත කිරීමේ ක්රියාවලියේ සහ ක්රීඩා ලෝකය තුළ ජාතියේ විශ්වසනීයත්වය යළි ස්ථාපිත කිරීමේ ක්රියාවලියේ අත්යවශ්ය අංගයකි.
මෙම ප්රවේශය හරහා, අමාත්යාංශය ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු පරිසර පද්ධතියක් අපේක්ෂා කරයි, එමඟින් දක්ෂතා වර්ධනය කිරීම, ක්රීඩා විශිෂ්ටත්වය ප්රවර්ධනය කිරීම සහ සාධාරණ ක්රීඩාවේ සහ ඇතුළත් වීමේ වටිනාකම් ඉහළ නංවයි, ජාතියේ තාරුණ්යය ප්රබෝධමත් කරමින් සහ සුන්දර ක්රීඩාව සඳහා බෙදාගත් ආදරය තුළ ප්රජාවන් එක්සත් කරයි.
- FFSL පරිපාලනයට එහි කටයුතු ස්වාධීනව කරගෙන යාමට ඉඩ දීම:
ක්රීඩා හා යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යවරයා සහ FIFA අතර පැවති සාකච්ඡාවේදී තීරණාත්මක මාතෘකාවක් වූයේ ශ්රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ (FFSL) පරිපාලනයේ ස්වාධීනත්වය නව කමිටුවක් තෝරා පත් කර ගැනීම දක්වා වූ සංක්රාන්ති සමය තුළය. සොලිසිටර් ජනරාල්වරයා “FFSL පරිපාලනයේ” විෂය පථය සහ වගකීම් පිළිබඳව පැහැදිලි කිරීමක් ඉල්ලා අදාළ කරුණක් මතු කළේය.
ප්රතිචාර වශයෙන්, FIFA පැහැදිලි කළේ, “FFSL පරිපාලනය” යන යෙදුම විශේෂයෙන් සඳහන් කරන්නේ සංවිධානයේ එදිනෙදා ක්රියාකාරකම් සහ මෙහෙයුම් කටයුතු හැසිරවීමට අවශ්ය විශේෂඥතාව, පළපුරුද්ද සහ දැනුම ඇති පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ කාර්ය මණ්ඩල සාමාජිකයින් බවයි. වැදගත් කරුණක් නම්, FIFA හි පැහැදිලි කිරීම් අවධාරණය කළේ “FFSL පරිපාලනය” තේරීම් කමිටුවට අයත් නොවන බවයි.
සංක්රාන්ති කාලපරිච්ඡේදය තුළ අඛණ්ඩතාව සහ ස්ථාවරත්වය සහතික කිරීම සඳහා නිසි පරිපාලනයක් තිබීමේ වැදගත්කම අවබෝධ කරගත් ක්රීඩා හා යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යවරයා FFSL හි කටයුතු මෙහෙයවීම සඳහා දක්ෂ කමිටුවක් පත් කිරීමට එකඟ විය. තේරී පත් වූ කමිටුවක් නොමැති අවස්ථාවක සම්මේලනයේ එදිනෙදා කටයුතු ඵලදායී ලෙස කළමනාකරණය කළ හැකි දක්ෂ පුද්ගලයින්ගෙන් මෙම කමිටුව සමන්විත වේ.
එපමනක් නොව, විනිවිදභාවය, ඇතුළත් කිරීම සහ ප්රජාතන්ත්රවාදී මූලධර්ම පිළිපැදීම සහතික කිරීම සඳහා, ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩා පනතට අනුකූලව මෙම පත්කළ කමිටුව හරහා අතිවිශේෂ මහා සභා රැස්වීමක් (EGM) සංවිධානය කිරීමට අමාත්යවරයා කැපවී සිටියේය. එෆ්එෆ්එස්එල් සඳහා නව කමිටුවක් තෝරා ගැනීම ඉදිරියට ගෙන යාමට අවශ්ය පියවර ගැන සාකච්ඡා කිරීමට පාර්ශවකරුවන්ට වේදිකාවක් ලෙස EGM සේවය කරනු ඇත.
දක්ෂ කමිටුවක් පත් කිරීම සහ EGM සංවිධානය කිරීමේ මෙම හොඳින් සලකා බැලූ ප්රවේශය හරහා, ක්රීඩා හා යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යවරයා ශ්රී ලංකාව තුළ විනිවිදභාවයෙන් යුත්, වගකීමෙන් සහ ඵලදායී පාපන්දු පරිපාලනයක් පෝෂණය කිරීමට කැපවීමක් පෙන්නුම් කරයි. අමාත්යාංශය, FIFA සහ පාපන්දු ප්රජාව අතර සහයෝගීතා ප්රයත්නයන් පාපන්දු වර්ධනය ප්රවර්ධනය කිරීම, දක්ෂතා පෝෂණය කිරීම සහ ජාත්යන්තර පාපන්දු වේදිකාවේ ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පැවැත්ම ඉහළ නැංවීම සඳහා යොමු කෙරේ.
iii. වසර 4 ක ජනවරම සහ පත් කළ මහලේකම්:
වසර 4ක ජනවරම පිළිබඳ ගිවිසුම සහ වැඩිදුර සාකච්ඡාවලින් තොරව මහලේකම්වරයෙකු පත් කිරීම ශ්රී ලංකාව තුළ පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාවේ අඛණ්ඩතාව ප්රතිෂ්ඨාපනය කිරීමේ වැදගත් පියවරක් නියෝජනය කරයි. මෙම තීරණය ශ්රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සම්මේලනය (FFSL) තුළ ස්ථාවරත්වය, අඛණ්ඩතාව සහ ඵලදායී නායකත්වය සැපයීම සඳහා අමාත්යාංශයේ කැපවීම පෙන්නුම් කරයි.
4-වසරක වරම: තේරී පත් වූ කමිටුවට වසර 4ක වරමක් ලබා දීමට ගත් තීරණය FFSL සඳහා දිගුකාලීන සැලසුම් සහ තිරසාර පාලනයේ වැදගත්කම පිළිබඳ අමාත්යාංශයේ විශ්වාසය පිළිබිඹු කරයි. වසර 4ක ධුර කාලයක් තේරී පත් වූ නිලධාරීන්ට රට තුළ පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාව දියුණු කිරීම සඳහා ඔවුන්ගේ දැක්ම, උපාය මාර්ග සහ ප්රතිපත්ති ක්රියාත්මක කිරීමට කටයුතු කිරීමට ඉඩ සලසයි. ව්යාපෘති ක්රියාත්මක කිරීමට, ප්රතිඵල ඇගයීමට සහ තිරසාර ප්රගතිය සඳහා අවශ්ය ගැලපීම් කිරීමට කමිටුවට ප්රමාණවත් කාලයක් ඇති බව මෙම ජනවරම කාලය සහතික කරයි.
සමස්තයක් ලෙස වසර 4 ක ජනවරමක් පිළිබඳ ගිවිසුම සහ ප්රධාන ලේකම්වරයා ලෙස ප්රධාන ලේකම්වරයෙකු පත් කිරීම ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාව පුනර්ජීවනය කිරීම සඳහා අමාත්යාංශයේ කැපවීම නිදසුන් කරයි. ස්ථාවර සහ කාර්යක්ෂම පාලන ව්යුහයක් ලබා දීමෙන් අමාත්යාංශයේ අරමුණ වන්නේ පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාවේ වර්ධනය සඳහා හිතකර පරිසරයක් ඇති කිරීම, එහි කීර්තිය ඉහළ නැංවීම සහ සුන්දර ක්රීඩාව තුළින් ජාතියේ තරුණ තරුණියන් සවිබල ගැන්වීමයි.
මෙම තීරණ හරහා අමාත්යාංශය FFSL කෙරෙහි මහජන විශ්වාසය ප්රතිෂ්ඨාපනය කිරීමටත්, වෘත්තීය, විනිවිදභාවයෙන් සහ වගකීමෙන් යුතුව ක්රීඩාව කළමනාකරණය කිරීමට ඇති හැකියාව පිළිබඳ විශ්වාසය ඇති කිරීමටත් අපේක්ෂා කරයි. තේරී පත් වූ කමිටුව, ප්රධාන ලේකම්වරයා සහ අමාත්යාංශය අතර සහයෝගී ප්රයත්නයන් ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාවේ දීප්තිමත් අනාගතයකට මග පාදනු නොඅනුමානය.
මෙම ඉතා ඵලදායී රැස්වීමෙන් අනතුරුව ගරු. රොෂාන් රණසිංහ විසින් FIFA සමඟ ඉහත සඳහන් කොන්දේසි පිළිගැනීම සඳහා අංක 2342/09 දරන අතිවිශේෂ ගැසට් පත්රයක් නිකුත් කරන ලදී. එහි ප්රතිඵලයක් ලෙස, ආසියානු පාපන්දු සම්මේලනය (AFC) ශ්රී ලංකාව FIFA ලෝක කුසලාන 2026 සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ දිනුම් ඇදීම සඳහා ශ්රී ලංකාව එක් කර ඇති බව තහවුරු කර ඇති අතර, අත්හිටුවීම ඉවත් කිරීමේ ඉදිරි සැලැස්ම පිළිබඳව FIFA අමාත්යාංශයට උපදෙස් දෙනු ඇති බවට විද්යුත් තැපෑලක් යවා ඇත.
ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩා අමාත්යාංශය, ක්රීඩා හා යෞවන කටයුතු අමාත්යතුමාගේ මගපෙන්වීම යටතේ, රටේ පාපන්දු පරිසර පද්ධතිය තුළ විනිවිදභාවය, යහපාලනය සහ සාධාරණ ක්රීඩාව පෝෂණය කිරීමට අධිෂ්ඨානශීලීව කටයුතු කරයි. FIFA පවුලට යළි පිහිටුවීම ශ්රී ලංකා පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාවේ නව පරිච්ඡේදයක් සනිටුහන් කරන අතර, මෙම ධනාත්මක පරිවර්තනය පිටුපස පෙළ ගැසෙන ලෙස අමාත්යාංශය සියලුම පාර්ශවකරුවන්, මාධ්ය සහ පුරවැසියන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටී.
இலங்கை கால்பந்தாட்ட சம்மேளனம் மீது பிபா விதித்துள்ள தடையை நீக்குவதற்கான வரலாற்று முக்கியத்துவம்வாய்ந்த ஆரம்பகட்ட நடவடிக்கைகளை விளையாட்டுத்துறை மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சு மேற்கொண்டுள்ளது.
பீபாவினால் இலங்கையின் கால்பந்துக்கு விதிக்கப்பட்ட தடைகளை நீக்குவதற்கான வரலாற்று ரீதியான நடவடிக்கைகளை விளையாட்டுத்துறை மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சு முன்னெடுத்துள்ளது. இது இலங்கை விளையாட்டு துறையில் முக்கிய திருப்புமுனையை ஏற்படுத்த வழிவகுக்கும். பல மாதங்களாக இடம்பெற்ற நீண்ட பேச்சுவார்த்தைகள் மற்றும் விரிவான மறுசீரமைப்புகளுக்கு பின்னர், அமைச்சரின் சிறந்த அணுகுமுறையானது சர்வதேச ரீதியில் இலங்கையின் கால்பந்தாட்ட விளையாட்டின் நற்பெயரை மீட்டெடுப்பதற்கான முயற்சிகளாக அமையப்பெற்றுள்ளன.
தடையை நீக்குவதற்கென அமைச்சரின் முக்கிய பொறுப்புக்களில் ஒன்றாக பீபா தலைமையகத்திற்கு அவர் விஜயம் மேற்கொண்டிருந்தார். இதன்போது அவர் பீபாவின் உயர்மட்ட அதிகாரியுடன் ஆக்கப்பூர்வமான சந்திப்பிலும் ஈடுபட்டார். இருதரப்பு சந்திப்பின் போது, இலங்கை கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்திற்குள் (குகுளுடு) ஒருமைப்பாட்டை மீட்டெடுப்பதற்கு முன்னெடுக்கவேண்டிய வேலைத்திட்டம் குறித்தான கருத்துக்கள் மற்றும் யோசனைகளை பரிமாறிக் கொண்டனர்.
2023 ஜூலை 10ஆம் திகதி அமைச்சருடன் ஸம் தொழில்நுட்பம் மூலம்; இடம்டபெற்ற இந்த கலந்துரையாடலின் போது, தடைகளை நீக்குவது மற்றும் இலங்கையின் கால்பந்தை புத்துயிர் பெறச்செய்வதற்கான வழிகள் குறித்தும் கவனம் செலுத்தப்பட்டது. ஸம் தொழில்நுட்பத்தின் போது பின்வரும் விடயங்கள் குறித்து கவனம் செலுத்தப்பட்டது.
I. 22 செப்டம்பர் 2022 அன்று குகுளுடு வினால் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட சட்டங்களின் ஒப்புதல்:
22 செப்டம்பர் 2022 அன்று குகுளுடு வினால் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட சட்டங்களின் ஒப்புதலானது பீபாவின் தடைகளை நீக்கும் செயற்பாட்டில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்க அளவு பங்களிப்பை வகிக்கின்றது. வெளிப்படைத்தன்மை, பொறுப்புக்கூறல் மற்றும் சிறந்த நடைமுறைகளை கடைப்பிடிப்பதை உறுதிசெய்வதற்காக இலங்கை கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்திற்கு (குகுளுடு) முறையான நிர்வாக கட்டமைப்பை கொண்டிருப்பதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை விளையாட்டு மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சு ஒப்புக் கொண்டுள்ளது.
ஜனநாயகத்தின் உணர்வை மதிக்க மற்றும் நியாயமான பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை ஊக்குவிக்க, குகுளுடு னால்; அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட சட்டங்களை பதிவு செய்ய அமைச்சு ஒப்புக்கொண்டது. எவ்வாறெனினும் முன்னோக்கு அணுகுமுறையின் ஒரு பகுதியாக கடந்த காலத்தில் ஏற்பட்ட குறைபாடுகள் அல்லது இடைவெளிகளை நிவர்த்தி செய்வதற்கு சாத்தியமான மேம்பாடுகள் மற்றும் சட்டங்களுக்கான திருத்தங்களின் அவசியத்தையும் அமைச்சு அங்கீகரித்துள்ளது.
அந்தவகையில், புதிய குழுவை தெரிவு செய்த பின்னர் சட்டதிட்டங்களை திருத்துவதற்கான நிபந்தனை இலங்கை விளையாட்டுச் சட்டத்தின் விதிமுறைகளுடன் இணங்குகிறது. புதிதாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட குழுவின் வழிகாட்டுதலின் கீழ் சட்டங்கள் மீளாய்வு செய்யப்பட்டு புதுப்பிக்கப்படும் இலங்கை கால்பந்தின் கூட்டு அபிலாஷைகள் மற்றும் நோக்கங்களின் பிரதிநிதித்துவதை இந்த ஏற்பாடு உறுதி செய்கின்றது.
இலங்கை விளையாட்டுச் சட்டம், குகுளுடு உட்பட ஆளும் அமைப்புகளுக்கு அதிகாரிகளை ஜனநாயக முறையில் தேர்ந்தெடுப்பதற்கான கட்டமைப்பை வழங்குகிறது. புதிய குழுவை அமைப்பதற்கான தேர்தலை நடத்துவதன் மூலம், புதிய முன்னோக்குகள், பிரத்தியேகமாக முடிவெடுத்தல் மற்றும் கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்தின் விவகாரங்களை நிர்வகிப்பதற்கான தெளிவான ஆணையை வழங்க அமைச்சு முயற்சிகளை மேற்கொள்கின்றது.
தேர்தலுக்குப் பின்னர் சட்டங்களைத் திருத்த அமைச்சின் உறுதிப்பாட்டை பிரதிபலிக்கின்ற அதேவேளை இலங்கையின் கால்பந்தாட்ட நிர்வாகத்தின் மறுமலர்ச்சிக்கான விரிவான அணுகுமுறையையும் பிரதிபலிக்கிறது. கடந்த கால அனுபவங்களிலிருந்து கற்றுக்கொள்ளவும், நாட்டில் கால்பந்து மேம்பாட்டிற்கு சாதகமான மாற்றங்களை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளவும் இது வழிவகுக்கின்றது.
குகுளுடு இன் கடந்தகால பணிகளை அங்கீகரித்தல் மற்றும் ஜனநாயக செயல்முறைகள் ஊடாக மேம்பாடுகளை ஒருங்கிணைப்பதன் மூலம் சர்வதேச தரத்திற்கமைய வெளிப்படையான மற்றும் வலுவான கால்பந்து நிர்வாகத்திற்கென பலம்வாய்ந்த அடித்தளத்தை அமைப்பதை அமைச்சு நோக்காக கொண்டுள்ளது.
இலங்கை விளையாட்டுச் சட்டத்திற்கமைய சட்டங்களின் ஒப்புதல் மற்றும் திருத்தங்களின் ஊடாக குகுளுடு இன் ஒருமைப்பாடு, பொறுப்புக்கூறல் மற்றும் செயற்த்திறனுடன் செயற்படுவதை உறுதிசெய்வதற்கான முக்கியமான கூட்டு முயற்சியாக இது கருதப்படுகிறது. நல்லாட்சிக்கான இந்த அர்ப்பணிப்பு இலங்கையை உலகளாவிய கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்தில் நிலைநிறுத்துவதற்கும் விளையாட்டு உலகில் தேசியத்தின் நம்பகத்தன்மையை மீள நிலைநிறுத்துவதற்கும் இன்றியமையாத விடயங்களாகும்.
இந்த அணுகுமுறைகளின் ஊடாக, இலங்கையில் கால்பந்து சார்ந்த சிறந்த சூழலை உருவாக்கி, நீதியான விளையாட்டிற்கான விழுமியங்களை நிலைநிறுத்தி தேசயத்தின் இளைஞர்களை ஊக்குவித்து அழகிய விளையாட்டின் ஊடாக சமூகங்களை அன்பால் ஒன்றிணைக்கும் ஒரு சூழலை விளையாட்டுத்துறை அமைச்சினால் இலங்கையில் உருவாக்க முடியும்.
II. குகுளுடு நிர்வாகத்திற்கு அதன் செயற்பாடுகளை சுதந்திரமாக முன்னெடுக்க அனுமதித்தல்
விளையாட்டுத்துறை மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சருக்கும் பிபாவுக்குமிடையிலான சந்திப்பின் போது, புதிய குழுவொன்றை தெரிவுசெய்வதற்கான இடைக்கால தெரிவில் இலங்கை கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்தின் நிர்வாக தன்னாட்சி அதிகாரம் பற்றிய விடயம் கலந்துரையாடலின் முக்கிய கருப்பொருளாக அமைந்திருந்தது. குகுளுடு; நிர்வாகத்தின் நோக்கம் மற்றும் பொறுப்புக்கள் தொடர்பில் தெளிவைக் கோரும் வகையில் சொலிசிட்டர் ஜெனரல் பொருத்தமான கருத்தொன்றை முன்வைத்தார்.
இதற்கு பதில் வழங்கும் வகையில், “குகுளுடு நிர்வாகம்” தொடர்பில் தெளிவுபடுத்தப்பட்டது. குறிப்பாக, நிர்வாகத்தின் அன்றாட நடவடிக்கைகள் மற்றும் செயற்பாடுகளை முன்னெடுப்பதற்கான நிபுணத்துவம், அனுபவம் மற்றும் திறனைக் கொண்ட அலுவலக ஊழியர் குழாம் குறித்து குறிப்பிடப்பட்டது. முக்கியமாக, “குகுளுடு நிர்வாகம்” தெரிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட குழுவை உள்ளடக்கவில்லை என்பதை பிபாவின் தெளிவூட்டல்களின் ஊடாக வலியுறுத்தப்படுகிறது.
இடைக்காலத்தின் தொடர்ச்சி மற்றும் ஸ்திரத்தன்மையை உறுதிசெய்வதற்கு திறமையான நிர்வாகம் அவசியம் என்பதை புரிந்துகொண்டுள்ள விளையாட்டுத்துறை மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சர், குகுளுடு நிர்வாகத்தை முன்னெடுத்துச் செல்வதற்கு ஒரு திறமையான குழுவை நியமிப்பதற்கு உறுதியளித்தார். தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்ட குழு செயற்பாட்டில் இல்லாத சந்தர்ப்பத்தில் சம்மேளனத்தின் அன்றாட செயற்பாடுகளை திறம்பட நிர்வகிக்கக்கூடிய திறன்வாய்ந்த நபர்களை இந்த குழு கொண்டிருக்கும்.
அத்துடன் வெளிப்படைத்தன்மை, உள்ளடக்கம் மற்றும் ஜனநாயக கோட்பாடுகளுக்கு இணங்குவதை உறுதி செய்யும் வகையில் இலங்கை விளையாட்டுச் சட்டத்தின் கீழ் நியமிக்கப்பட்ட குழுவின் ஊடாக அசாதாரணமான ஒரு பொது கூட்டத்தை ஏற்பாடு செய்வது தொடர்பில் அமைச்சர் உறுதியளித்தார். குகுளுடு க்கான புதிய குழுவை தெரிவு செய்வதற்கு தேவையான நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்து கலந்துரையாடுவதற்கு பங்குதாரர்களுக்கான ஒரு வசதியான தளமாக நுபுஆ செயற்படும்.
திறமையான குழுவொன்றை நியமித்தல் மற்றும் நுபுஆஐ ஒழுங்கமைத்தல் போன்ற நன்கு பரிசீலிக்கப்பட்ட அணுகுமுறையின் மூலம், இலங்கையில் வெளிப்படையான, பொறுப்புணர்வு மற்றும் பயனுள்ள கால்பந்து நிர்வாகத்தை வளர்ப்பதற்கான அர்ப்பணிப்பை விளையாட்டு மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சர் வெளிப்படுத்தியுள்ளார். அமைச்சுக்கும் குஐகுயு மற்றும் கால்பந்து சமூகத்தினருக்கு இடையிலான கூட்டு முயற்சிகள் கால்பந்தாட்டத்தின் வளர்ச்சியை ஊக்குவிப்பதுடன் திறமைகளை வளர்ப்பது மற்றும் சர்வதேச கால்பந்து அரங்கில் இலங்கையின் இருப்பை உயர்த்துவதற்கு கைகொடுக்கும்.
III. 4 வருட ஆணை மற்றும் நியமிக்கப்பட்ட பொது செயலாளர்:
மேலதிக பேச்சுவார்த்தைகள் எதுவும் இல்லாத 4 வருட ஆணைக்கான உடன்படிக்கை மற்றும் பொது செயலாளரின் நியமனம் என்பன இலங்கையின் கால்பந்தாட்ட ஒருமைப்பாட்டை மீள கட்டியெழுப்புவதற்கான முக்கிய நடவடிக்கையாக பார்க்கப்படுகிறது. இந்த தீர்மானமானது, இலங்கை கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்திற்குள் ஸ்திரத்தன்மை, தொடர்ச்சி மற்றும் பயனுள்ள தலைமைத்துவம் என்பவற்றை வழங்குவதற்கான அமைச்சின் பொறுப்புக்களை உறுதிப்படுத்துகிறது.
4 வருட ஆணை: தெரிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட குழுவிற்கு 4 வருட ஆணையை வழங்குவதற்கான தீர்மானம் குகுளுடு இன் நீண்டகால திட்டமிடல்கள் மற்றும் நிலையான நிர்வாகத்தின் முக்கியத்துவம் குறித்த அமைச்சின் நம்பிக்கையை வெளிப்படுத்துகிறது. 4 வருடகால பதவிக்காலமானது தெரிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட அதிகாரிகள் நாட்டின் கால்பந்தாட்ட விளையாட்டை முன்னேற்றுவதற்கான நோக்கம், உபாயங்கள் மற்றும் கொள்கைகள் என்பவற்றை செயற்படுத்துவதற்கு அனுமதியளிக்கிறது. இந்த ஆணைக்காலமானது திட்டங்களை செயற்படுத்துவதற்கும், விளைவுகளை மதிப்படுவதற்கும், நீடித்த முன்னேற்றங்களுக்கு தேவையான மாற்றங்களை மேற்கொள்வதற்கும் குழுவிற்கு போதுமான காலம் உள்ளதை உறுதிசெய்கிறது.
4 வருடகால ஆணைக்கான உடன்படிக்கை மற்றும் பொது செயலாளர் ஒருவரை பிரதான நிறைவேற்று அதிகாரியாக நியமித்தல் என்பன இலங்கை கால்பந்தாட்டத்தை புத்துயிர் பெறச் செய்வதற்கான அமைச்சின் பொறுப்புக்களை எடுத்துக்காட்டுகிறது. ஒரு நிலையான மற்றும் திறமையான கட்டமைப்பை உருவாக்குவதன் ஊடாக கால்பந்தாட்டத்தின் வளர்ச்சிக்கு சிறந்த சூழலை ஏற்படுத்துவது, அதன் நற்பெயரை மேம்படுத்துவது மற்றும் இந்த அழகான விளையாட்டின் ஊடாக நாட்டின் இளைஞர்;களை ஊக்குவிப்பதையும் அமைச்சு நோக்கமாக கொண்டுள்ளது.
இந்த தீர்மானங்களின் ஊடாக குகுளுடு மீதான பொதுமக்களின் நம்பிக்கையை மீட்டெடுக்க அமைச்சு எதிர்பார்க்கின்றது. அத்துடன் தொழில் ரீதியான, வெளிப்படையான மற்றும் பொறுப்புவாய்ந்த முறையில் விளையாட்டை நிர்வகிக்கும் திறமைகள் மீதான நம்பிக்கையை ஊக்குவிக்கவும் அமைச்சு முயல்கிறது. தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்;ட குழு, பொது செயலாளர் மற்றும் அமைச்சு என்பவற்றிற்கிடையில் கூட்டு முயற்சிகள் இலங்கை கால்பந்தாட்டத்தின் பிரகாசமான எதிர்காலத்திற்கு வழிவகுக்குமென்பதில் ஐயமில்லை.
மிகவும் பயனுள்ள இந்த கூட்டத்தின் பின்னர், பிபாவுடன் கூறப்பட்ட நிபந்தனைகளை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும் வகையில் மதிப்பிக்குரிய அமைச்சர் ரொஷான் ரணசிங்க 2342ஃ09 என்ற இலக்கத்தைக் கொண்ட அசாதாரணமான ஒரு வர்த்தமானியை வெளியிட்டார். இதற்கமைய, 2026 பிபா உலக கிண்ண தகுதிகாண் சுற்று தெரிவில் இலங்கை கால்பந்தாட்ட அணி இணைக்கப்படவுள்ளதை ஆசிய கால்பந்தாட்ட கூட்டமைப்பு உறுதிசெய்துள்ளது. அத்துடன் தடையை நீக்குவதற்கான முன்னோக்கிய திட்டம் குறித்து பிபா விரைவில் விளையாட்டுத்துறை அமைச்சுக்கு அறிவிக்குமென தெரிவித்து மின்னஞ்சல் ஒன்றையும் ஆசிய கால்பந்தாட்ட கூட்டமைப்பு அனுப்பியுள்ளது.
விளையாட்டுத்துறை மற்றும் இளைஞர் விவகார அமைச்சின் வழிகாட்டுதலின் கீழ் இலங்கை விளையாட்டுத்துறை அமைச்சானது நாட்டின் கால்பந்து சூழலுக்கு வெளிப்படைத்தன்மையை முன்னெடுத்தல், சிறந்த நிர்வாகம் மற்றும் நீதியான விளையாட்டை வளர்ப்பதில் உறுதியாக உள்ளது. பிபா குடும்பத்தில் மீள இணைத்துக்கொள்ளப்பட்டமையானது இலங்கை கால்பந்தாட்டத்தின் புதிய அத்தியாயத்தை முன்னறிவிக்கின்றது. அத்துடன் இந்த சாத்தியமான மாற்றத்திற்கு பின்னால் அணிதிரளுமாறு பங்குதாரர்கள், ஊடகங்கள் மற்றும் இலங்கை பிரஜைகள் அனைவருக்கும் விளையாட்டுத்துறை அமைச்சு அழைப்பு விடுக்கின்றது.
Football
Exclusive: AFC Fines Sri Lankan Footballer Over “Free Palestine” Message
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.
Football
Part 2: FIFA Funds Squandered – Inside the Financial Collapse of Sri Lanka Football
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:
- Forensic audit of FFSL finances since 2012
- Criminal complaints under Sections 386, 389, and 403 of the Penal Code
- Legal reform to prevent future abuse:
- Term limits for officials
- Ban on combining finance and executive powers
- Mandatory procurement audits
- Quarterly public financial disclosures
“A system must be developed to prevent elected officials from having unilateral control over funds.”
— Report, p. 17The 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.
Football
Kusala Sarojini report exposses Massive Mismanagement Uncovered in Sri Lanka Football Federation
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:
- Mrs. Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena – Retired High Court Judge (Chairperson)
- Mr. Kingsley Fernando – Former Ministry Secretary
- Mr. Sudath Nagahamulla – Retired DIG of Police
- Mr. Ananda Peiris – Retired Rear Admiral
- 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.
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