Committee findings push for fresh shooting elections under new Sports Regulations
An independent investigative committee has ordered the Sri Lanka Shooting Federation to scrap its upcoming elections and conduct fresh polls under new regulations, following serious concerns about conflicts of interest and compromised impartiality in the election process.
The three-member probe, led by M.T.I.S. Karunasena and including K.M.M.I. Thilakaratne and Sisira Wallegedara, was established by the Director General of Sports after retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Gamini Walgama lodged a formal complaint questioning the appointment of Janaprith Fernando to the federation’s election committee.
Fernando’s dual role as both the shooting federation’s legal adviser and personal solicitor to current President Shirantha Peiris raised immediate concerns about potential conflicts of interest, according to the complaint. The investigation revealed further allegations that President Peiris had compromised the election committee’s independence by hosting a dinner for members at a hotel in Battaramulla and conducting meetings at his private office.
The report notes that whilst both committee chairman Dr. Sinnathurai Narendran and Fernando attended the dinner, the third member, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Kenath Walter Edema, declined to participate. After recording statements from all three election committee members, the federation’s president and secretary Pradeep Chinthaka Edirisinghe, and the complainant, investigators concluded that Fernando’s appointment represented a clear conflict of interest.
“According to the constitutions of National Sports Associations, only impartial individuals should be appointed to Election Committees,” the investigative report states.
“A person who is handling the legal affairs of a sports association has a direct connection with its internal affairs. Therefore, we believe that his appointment is not impartial.”
The panel emphasised that Fernando’s involvement with the federation’s legal affairs created an inherent bias, stating: “As the person is involved with the legal affairs of the federation, he has a direct connection to the federation and thus his appointment to the election committee amounts to a conflict of interest.”
Regarding the hospitality extended to committee members, investigators found that “by offering a dinner to the members of the election committee, it has impacted the independence of the committee.”
The investigative committee has consequently ordered the federation to cancel its forthcoming election of office bearers and conduct fresh elections strictly in accordance with the newly gazetted Sports Regulations.
The decision represents a significant intervention in Sri Lankan sports governance, highlighting ongoing concerns about transparency and proper procedure in national sporting federations.