The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on Thursday drew the attention to irregularities of former Football Federation Chairman Manilal Fernando in using money provided by various institutions.
Accordingly, misappropriation of Euro 40,400 (nearly Rs. 6 million), which had been donated by the Italian Football Players Association to construct football playground in Kalutara, USD 60,000 (nearly Rs. 6 million), which had been given by the Asian Football Federation for competitions, Rs.10 million, which had been given by private company to construct 20 houses for Tsunami victims and USD 200,000, which had been donated by the Asian Football Federation were discussed at the meeting.
It was revealed that the President of the Federation has submitted an affidavit to Court stating that no such financial irregularities have taken place in the background of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) concluding its investigations and filing cases in Courts. The committee pointed out that it was a serious matter to inform through an affidavit that it had not happened.
COPE Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath said that football in the country has fallen to a very low level and it is a tragedy that despite such a large allocation of funds, it has fallen to such a low level. Therefore, the Chairman and former Chairman Manilal Fernando should be summoned immediately before the COPE to investigate the matter, the COPE said.
The COPE Chairman on Thursday suspended the COPE meeting of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, due to the absence of the President of the Federation.
Accordingly, the President and other officials of the Sri Lanka Football Federation and its former President Manilal Fernando will be summoned on May 6, the COPE Chairman said.
The committee pointed out that although 10 members were elected to the Football Federation Executive Committee, it was revealed that the Chairman would appoint another 18 members to the Committee.
The COPE instructed the Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary to intervene immediately as this is a major problem, even though it is done in accordance with the Constitution of the Federation. Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Anuradha Wijekoon said that an order will be issued soon to prevent the appointment of 18 members by the Chairman.
The Committee pointed out that the election committees to conduct elections of these sports associations are being set up by these associations and therefore, these activities are being carried out without any transparency.
It was revealed that Rs. 750,000 will be given to the Chairman of the Election Committee for the forthcoming election of the Football Federation and Rs. 600,000 each would be given to the other two members and this was severely criticised by the Committee. It was also revealed that this situation has arisen due to the inability to oppose the decisions of the Chairman as there are 18 members appointed by the Chairman.
The COPE Chairman said that the Ministry should always be vigilant about the role of these associations and that direct supervision should be carried out by the Ministry.
Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Sarath Weerasekera, MPs Rauff Hakeem, Nalin Bandara, S.M Marikkar and S. Rasamanikkam, Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary, the Department of Sports Development Director General along with other officials and Football Federation officials were present.
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