Officials representing Football Leagues islandwide, affiliated to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), gathered yesterday at the National Football Training Centre in Baddegana to attend a discussion and seminar on Development of Football. Over 200 representatives from nearly 70 Football Leagues were present at the discussion as they collectively condemned the act of six [...]

The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Lankan football plunges deep into the rut

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Officials representing Football Leagues islandwide, affiliated to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), gathered yesterday at the National Football Training Centre in Baddegana to attend a discussion and seminar on Development of Football. Over 200 representatives from nearly 70 Football Leagues were present at the discussion as they collectively condemned the act of six former and present FFSL officials which has resulted restrictions upon the present football hierarchy through an interim injunction order from the Colombo District Court.

The injunction order imposed last Thursday for a period of two weeks prevented the FFSL from conducting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for yesterday.

In addition a verdict was issued on FFSL President Ranjith Rodrigo barring him attending seminars or meetings conducted by FIFA, Asian Football Confederation or representing any international event relating to football. FFSL faced a severe blow with the third verdict, which said the FFSL cannot make financial outflows other than payment of utility bills such as electricity and water and monthly salary payments of its employees.

“These individuals may have the impression that they are acting in a manner to serve the game of football. But they are harming Sri Lanka’s image internationally. It’s really surprising to expect an act of this kind from individuals who are well versed in the constitutions of FFSL, AFC and the FIFA. We are not in a hurry; we will wait till the correct time to respond through our legal team,” said a dejected Rodrigo.

Two months ago on March 22, the FFSL was prevented for the first time by the Colombo District Court from holding its AGM through an injunction order which stayed for two weeks. The case was heard again on May 6 but did not conclude in favour of the petitioners – Thilina Panditharatne, Manil Fernando and Sepala Perera – according to reports. For a second time, after the FFSL decided to have its AGM on May 24, Panditharatne and Perera filed a new case from preventing it. Football experts fear since seeking legal assistance from a civil court is totally against the constitutions of FIFA, AFC and FFSL, it has an uncertainty of Sri Lanka being banned from the global body.

“Those who commit these acts know that it’s against the constitutions of the national, regional and global bodies of football. So it is clear that this is sort of an act to provoke the FIFA and AFC and force them to impose a ban on Sri Lanka. This will result in going for an interim committee, which is not so healthy for a country like Sri Lanka, who is still developing in football,” opined Rodrigo.

In addition to the injunction order issued, former President of FFSL and a former Deputy Chief of Police, Gamini Randeniya has filed a case against the FFSL at the Colombo District Court. Randeniya in his case has mentioned that the FFSL has acted against its own constitution by not holding an AGM to elect new officials. According to the new Sports Law enacted by the Ministry of Sports in 2013, a local sport’s governing body should hold its elections biennially. The case will be heard again on June 5.

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