Sports Ministry plans to dissolve SLBA elections?

The Sports Ministry aims to dissolve the Annual General Meeting and elections of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) most probably during the coming week.

The reason for this is that the AGM is not in keeping with the Sports Law. According to the Sports Law, the annual audit report should have the approval of the Auditor General. This approval has not been obtained as yet.

The Sunday Times inquired from a top level senior Sports Ministry official who said that they came to know that the AGM of the SLBA had taken place without the Auditor General’s approved audit report. This is against the Sports Law. However he said that an official complaint has not been received to date.

He went onto say that in case a complaint is received this week, they will have discussions with the Sports Minister regarding the badminton association and legal action will be taken. “This, situation,” he said is, “against the Sports Law. The deadline for staging AGMs of sports bodies is May 31. There is ample time to stage the AGM but the Badminton Association has held the AGM without the audit report very much in advance. We informed the Badminton Association to hold back the AGM. But they proceeded to hold the AGM unheeded,” he concluded.

Nishantha Jayasinghe, a national badminton player was elected to the post of president. Nishantha obtained 33 votes. His main opponent Roshan Gunewardena obtained 12 votes. Former president Suraj Dandeniya did not contest this time. Seven vice presidents were also elected. They are: Chamara Aluthge, Rohan De Silva, Jeevan Prasad Jayatilleke, Mohan Wijesinghe, Duminda Jayakody, Chamara Perera and Harsha Hiyarapitiya.

Wing Commander Amal Dias was re-elected as secretary uncontested. Two assistant secretaries were also elected uncontested. They are: H.W. Kumara and Tilak Jayasiri. Treasurer: G.G. Malinga (uncontested), Assistant Treasurer: Kelum Katipearachchi.

The elections and AGM took place last Friday at the SLBA auditorium.