The much debated National Olympic Committee (NOCSL) election was held this evening at the NOCSL headquarters, to appoint office bearers who will govern the apex sports body for a four-year term.
The two main parties headed by presidential candidates Rohan Anthony Fernando and Suresh Subramaniam seek a majority vote to appoint 12 top officials in the NOCSL. It has been a controversial election campaign from the beginning with both parties pointing fingers at each other.
The official website of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka www.srilankaolypmpic.org has announced the officials results as follows.
“It is with utmost cordiality we acknowledge that the AGM and the Election of Office Bearers of the NOC Sri Lanka were held peacefully, honourably and without any discrimination under the supervision and direction of the impartial Election Commission and the IOC.
President : Mr. Surendran Subramaniam (newly elected)
Secretary General : Mr. Totabaddage Maxwell Priyantha Nimal de Silva
Vice Presidents : 1. Mr. Joseph Benedict Kenny Adutharai Kattar
- Maj. General (Rtd) Waduge Palitha Piyasiri Fernando
- Senior DIG (Rtd) Edirisinghe Arachchige Sumith Edirisinghe (newly elected)
- Mr. Asanga Chandana Seneviratne (newly elected)
Treasurer : Mr. Senaka Clement Ranasinghe (newly elected)
Assistant Secretary : Mr. Chandana Bamunusinghe Liyanage (newly elected)
Assistant Treasurer : Mr. Nishantha Dayan de Silva Jayasinghe (newly elected)
Committee Members : 1. Mr. Appuhennadhi Thota Hewage Chanaka Hashantha (newly elected)
- Mr. Fazil Mohamed Hussain (newly elected)
- Mr. Warnakulasuriya Ajith Thamel (newly elected)
Earlier, the number of eligible votes has been a controversy from the beginning as presidential candidate Rohan’s alliance lodged protests against voting eligibility of some federations. They pointed out that Hockey and Badminton federations have been dissolved and functioning under the Director General of Sports, so they should not be allowed to vote. The main controversy was about the eligibility of two votes by the Athletes’ Commission. The Athletes’ Commission was established in 2016 on an International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendation. Even though the NOCSL constitution allows two votes by the Athletes’ Commission, Rohan’s alliance protested that the Athletes’ Commission has not yet obtained approval from the General Assembly of IOC and ratification from the IOC, which is the legitimate procedure for voting rights.
Considering the protests, the NOCSL Election Committee yesterday cleared the doubts, by allowing the two votes by the Hockey and Badminton federations while not approving the Athletes’ Commission’s votes. The NOCSL Election Committee further said that only after the IOC ratification and its general Assembly approval, the Athletes’ Commission will be allowed to vote at future elections.
Presidential candidate Suresh Subramaniam said that he is very confident of winning the race from the beginning. “I have over 25 years of experience in local and international sports administration. I have a good plan to develop sports and I know how to do that properly. I have never tried to influence anyone and never did anything below the belt,” he said.
The other presidential candidate Rohan Anthony Fernando claims that he will get a clear majority if the member federations want to rescue NOCSL from corruption. “People who are against corruption will vote for my alliance. We are very confident that even under a lot of influence by the other party, the rightful people will support us to take Sri Lankan sports to the next level,” he commented.
[Suresh Subramaniam’s alliance candidates list]
* Suresh Subramaniam (SLTA) – President
* Maxwell de Silva (SLTA, SL Judo Assoc.)- General Secretary
* Wing Comm. (Retd.) Chandana Liyanage (SLBF) – Asst. Secretary
* Asanga Seneviratne (SLR) – Vice President
* Joseph Kenny (Yatchting Assoc.SL) – Vice President
* Senior DIG (Retd.) Sumith Edirisinhghe (SL Hockey Fed.) – Vice President
* Maj. Gen. Dampath Pandula Fernando (Handball Fed. of SL) – Vice President
* Senaka Clement Ranasinghe (Cycling Fed. of SL)- Treasurer
* Nishantha Dayan de S. Jayasinghe (SLBF)- Asst. Treasurer
* Ajith Thamel (SL Weightlifting Fed.) – Committee Member
* Fazil M. Hussain (SL Amature Baseball Asso.) – Committee Member
* A.H.T.Chanaka Heshantha (Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union) – Committee Member
[Anthony Rohan Harsha Fernando’s alliance candidates list]
* Anthony Rohan Harsha Fernando (Amateur Rowing Club) – President
* Rohan Prithiviraj Perera (National Assoc. for Canoeing & Kayaking) – General Secretary
* Kanchana Jayarathna (Sri Lanka Taekwondo Assoc.)- Asst. Secretary
* Dian Gomes (Amateur Boxing Assoc. of SL)- Vice President
* Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando (Athletics Association of SL)- Vice President
* Anura de Silva (Football Fed. of SL) – Vice President
* Cdr (Ret.) H.U. Silva (SL Archery Assoc.)- Vice President
* Shirantha Peries (National Shooting Sports Fed. of SL) – Treasurer
* Nishantha Indunil Piyasena (Modern Pentathlon Assoc. of SL) – Asst. Treasurer
* A. S. Nalaka (National Volleyball Fed.) – Committee Member
* Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ajith Siyambalapitiya (National Assoc. of Fencing in SL)- Committee Member
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