With time running out for the suspension of National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka General Secretary Maxwell De Silva (Maxi) to be enforced, alarming signs of a well-orchestrated coup have surfaced, reportedly aimed at removing both the Ethics Committee and President Suresh Subramaniam in a desperate effort to protect De Silva and his allies.
Facing growing pressure from the Ethics Committee’s investigation, De Silva and his inner circle are scrambling for survival by exploring three options: remove the Ethics Committee, force immediate elections, despite them not being due until next year, or initiate a no-confidence vote to oust the president. These desperate moves are the only means for these corrupt officials and federations to escape accountability, especially as De Silva’s guilt becomes increasingly undeniable.
A shadow campaign has already begun, led by a special three-member team: Nishantha Piyasena (Modern Pentathlon), who was sacked from the Ex-Co during Hemasiri Fernando’s presidency over an alleged sexual scandal, Shirantha Peiris (Rifle Shooting), and Chandana Liyanage. The trio is reportedly making frantic calls to several sports associations, lobbying for support to execute their plan. As the clock ticks, this is a clear warning of the underhanded tactics at play to protect those implicated in significant corruption.
The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement for years, but none has pulled off more brazen stunts than Secretary General Maxwell De Silva, dubbed “Maxi the Magician.” Much like the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini, Maxi has masterfully evaded accountability for a range of misdeeds over the past two decades. Allegations of embezzlement, fraud, corruption, manipulation, human smuggling, and bribery have swirled around De Silva’s tenure, yet he has consistently managed to slip through the cracks, often with the help of his allies on the NOCSL Executive Committee.
The Magic Team: Maxi’s Team of Support
Maxwell De Silva, as Secretary General of the NOCSL, hasn’t worked alone. His “magic” extends to an Executive Committee willing to turn a blind eye to his wrongdoings.
This became glaringly apparent when the previous Ethics Committee headed by Dr. Harsha Cabraal PC, including A. Laduwahetty and Ray Abeywardena, was making significant progress in uncovering multiple fraudulent activities within the NOCSL. Just as they were about to expose key wrongdoings, the NOCSL Executive Committee, under the influence of De Silva, unceremoniously removed them.
Treasurer Gamini Jayasinghe (holding posts in multiple sport associations which is illegal, violating sports law), Chandana Liyanage (who was previously terminated from his role at Brandix), Dinesh Krishntha (holding posts in multiple sport associations which is illegal, violating sports law), Gobinath Sivarajah (holding posts in multiple sport associations which is illegal, violating sports law), Kanchana Jayaratne (Volleyball – currently facing many squabbles with his own Secretary attached to the SL Volleyball Association due to financial issues and also former Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi’s husband involved in much covid pandemic financial scandals), Suranjith Premadasa, and Shirantha Peiris have all been steadfast allies of Maxwell De Silva, protecting him at every turn because they too stand to lose much if he is ousted, as many of whom have benefited from his shady dealings. Two prominent examples are Suranjith Premadasa (Equestrian) and Shirantha Peiris (Rifle Shooting), who have both turned their private businesses into registered sports associations. These associations are registered to their home addresses, a violation of the country’s sports law, which prohibits officials from holding office if they are involved in businesses pertaining to the sport they oversee. Despite this, De Silva has continued to support them, ensuring their loyalty and votes at critical Executive Committee meetings.
Sport Ministers Come and Go – but De Silva Remains
Since De Silva joined the NOCSL’s Executive Committee, the number of Sports Ministers who have come and gone through his tenure reads like a revolving door: Johnstone Fernando, Jeevan Kumaratunga, Gamini Lokuge, C.B. Ratnayake, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Navin Dissanayake, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Faizer Mustafa, Harin Fernando, Dullas Alahapperuma, Namal Rajapaksa, Roshan Ranasinghe, and Harin Fernando again. Smart as he is De Silva is confident that the current Minister of Sports who happens to be the country’s Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya will in all certainty not be overseeing this ministry after the next General Elections. Despite the numerous ministers coming and going, De Silva’s antics have continued unchecked, thanks to his masterful ability to stall investigations until a new minister is appointed.
Each inquiry, whether by the Bribery Commission, Special Investigation Unit (SIU), C.I.D, Fraud Bureau or Auditor General’s Department, has been delayed or derailed. Bribes, foreign trips, and cash incentives were allegedly offered to investigating officers to ensure investigations didn’t move forward.
A glaring example is the case brought against De Silva during Dayasiri Jayasekara’s term as Sports Minister in 2016. The case, now referenced in the Ethics Committee’s recommendation for De Silva’s suspension, has been languishing for years. Most recently, in December 2023, De Silva was summoned by the Bribery Commission, but skillfully he delayed that inquiry too. To date, no follow-up has been made. Even a Forensic Audit approved by the membership at the AGM held in December 2021 is yet to be conducted.
Meanwhile, earlier, with a possible suspension looming, it is alleged that the legal advisor to the then minister deliberately suppressed the report submitted by the three-man committee in February 2024, delaying any action from being taken with the hope of having the report destroyed and evading exposure. His reward for this maneuver was a VVIP trip to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which he went to, enjoyed all the VVIP treatment offered and returned.
Eventually, the report surfaced. It had to, allowing the NOCSL to appoint an Ethics Committee to review the 24-page document and issue their recommendation to suspend Secretary General Maxwell De Silva.
The Ethics Committee’s Report: Suspension Looming
Despite De Silva’s Houdini-like escapes, the NOCSL’s current Ethics Committee has now recommended his immediate suspension. This recommendation stems from an inquiry conducted by a three-member committee appointed earlier in 2024 by then-Sports Minister Harin Fernando. The investigation focused on allegations of financial misconduct involving De Silva and former NOCSL President Hemasiri Fernando, specifically related to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The report further revealed that the NOCSL sent six unauthorized individuals to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games without the Sports Ministry’s approval. Of the 176 travelers (170 authorized, six unauthorized), 12 absconded during the games, damaging Sri Lanka’s reputation internationally. De Silva was responsible for approving these individuals, including his associate Gayan Priyantha and his family, who were granted VVIP status for the event. Another individual, Aravinda, a private business partner of De Silva’s, was also sent to the Commonwealth Games in a similar manner. Incidentally, he supplies stationery, and other equipment to the NOCSL. Aravinda was more noted for selling 10 computers to the NOCSL during the Covid- 19 Pandemic to be used by sport federations to conduct zoom meetings. It is a well known fact that whilst the purchased prices were well above the regular market prices it was supported and facilitated by the Chandana Liyanage the Asst. Secretary, who also happens to be the Chairman Procurement and another ally of De Silva.
It must be noted that Gayan Priyantha and family of four (wife and kids) and also Aravinda are individuals whose names are not included in the total 170 approved and 6 unapproved names that is mentioned in the Ethics Committee report.
This raises the critical question of who authorized these individuals to enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, courtesy of the NOCSL. No Executive Committee approvals were obtained for these entries, which were reportedly fraudulently added by Maxwell De Silva, who had exclusive access to the online registration system for the event.
The Rio 2016 Scandal: Maxwell De Silva’s Financial Sleight of Hand
Meanwhile, one of the most notorious scandals involving De Silva centers on the 2016 Rio Olympics. During the games, De Silva secured an advance payment of $10,000 from the Ministry of Sports, promising to repay it once he received a grant from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This US $10,000 IOC grant was meant for travel expenses, hotel accomodation and meals during the games. He did receive the grant, but conveniently forgot to repay the advance payment to the Ministry of Sports until an audit 18 months later forced him to do so.
Further, De Silva was the self appointed Chef de Mission for the Rio 2016 Games and also flew his wife and daughter and stayed in a luxurious hotel far from the athletes’ village, with rooms costing $500 per night. De Silva double-dipped, subsequently claiming the same expenses a whopping sum of Rs 2,731,818.62 from the NOCSL, a testament to his lavish spending, which was queried by the Auditor General in his report which till to date remain unanswered.
Meanwhile, even his daughter, serving as the “Liaison Officer” for the Sri Lankan contingent, also received an additional $100 per day for her “services” despite her limited qualifications.
Time for Action: NPP’s Promise of Good Governance
Despite Gen.Sec De Silva’s audacious plans, the future of the NOCSL and indeed Sri Lanka’s participation in international sports hangs in the balance. With only four athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games, despite 32 Olympic sports disciplines under its purview, the NOCSL has become a national embarrassment. It is clear that the organization, under De Silva’s corrupt activities, has failed Sri Lanka’s athletes.
As Sri Lanka enters a new era under the National People’s Power (NPP) and the leadership of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, there is hope that corruption within the NOCSL will finally be addressed. The NOCSL is supposed to serve the greater good of Sri Lanka sports, not the personal ambitions of corrupt officials who mostly themselves have not participated in any sporting activities at competitive level. It is now up to the NPP government to step in and help the NOCSL clean up this mess and restore integrity to Sri Lanka’s Olympic efforts.
The future of Sri Lanka’s athletes depends on it, and it is high time Maxwell De Silva and his gang are brought to book.
The question remains will good governance prevail under the NPP, make good on its promise of wiping out corruption and helping to maintain good governance.
The Morning telegraph
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