The three-member Election Committee of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has decided to reject all three objections submitted against 2026–2030 presidential candidate Jaswar Umar.
A total of 34 candidates have submitted nominations for 11 key positions within the NOCSL, with five candidates, including Umar, contesting for the post of President.
The objections against Umar were filed by current NOCSL Secretary Rifdy Fahmy, Treasurer Prethiviraj Perera, and former international football referee Sunil Senaweera.
Meanwhile, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has firmly informed the NOCSL President that any attempt to disrupt the election process or seek legal action will not result in an extension of the current administration’s term under any circumstances.
Accordingly, OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam, in an email dated April 18 to NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam, clarified that all previous communications regarding individuals under investigation or suspension were applicable only to elected officials serving on the NOC Executive Committee at the time those letters were issued.
With only six days remaining until the election, the OCA has emphasized that the process must be conducted in a fully transparent, fair, and equal manner for all parties involved. It further reiterated that resorting to legal action or attempting to delay the election will not automatically extend the tenure of the current NOCSL Executive Committee.
Reports indicate that several affiliated national sports associations have taken steps to nominate Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Umar as a common presidential candidate. Officials state that he was selected based on majority support, as he currently does not hold any position within the NOCSL Executive Committee, making him an independent candidate.
This marks the first time in Sri Lanka’s football history that a Football Federation President is contesting for the NOCSL presidency.
Despite this, it is noteworthy that three objections had initially been raised against the candidacy of Umar.
The upcoming NOCSL election has also drawn special attention from both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Out of 31 affiliated national associations, only 29 associations along with two Athlete Commission representatives are eligible to vote. Associations representing Gymnastics, Cycling, Boxing, and Table Tennis have been denied voting rights due to inactivity.
The election is scheduled to be held on April 25 at 4:00 PM at the NOCSL Auditorium. Nominations closed on April 11, while decisions on submitted objections were expected to be announced recently.
The race for the presidency has taken on an unprecedented level of intensity, with five candidates—including three current Vice Presidents—competing for the top post.
Among the presidential candidates are Deva Henry (President, Ski & Snowboard Association), Asanga Seneviratne (President, Amateur Baseball/Softball Association), Sherantha Peries (Vice President, National Shooting Sport Federation), Umar, and Perera, who currently serves as NOCSL Treasurer.
Current NOCSL President Subramaniam has completed an eight-year term (2018–2026) and is ineligible to contest again under the new sports regulations. Although the election was originally required to be held before December 28, 2025, it was delayed by NOCSL authorities citing various reasons. Following intervention by the IOC and OCA, steps were taken to ensure that the election is conducted before April 30.
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