Minister calls for explanation on Audit delays
Sports Ministry has called for explanations from the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka for the long- delay in submitting their accounts for auditing.
By law, NOCSL must get their accounts audited by the government auditors at the end of each financial year which has been repeatedly ignored by them.
“We have written to them asking for explanation,” Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said. “There had been a very long delay in getting their accounts audited and we want to
come under the Sports Law, it’s a total lie. If it doesn’t, why is it called the ‘ National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka’? Why do they use the national flag and the emblem?"
“For instance, Sri Lanka Cricket doesn’t get funding through the Ministry of Sports," he continued. "But, by law, it is required to be audited by the government auditors. So the argument that the NOC is funded by its parent body except in the case of sending athletes to international sports events and so does not require annual auditing by the Auditor General's Department is incorrect."
However, it’s not clear how know the reasons for these delays.
The NOCSL had only sent their financial statements for four years (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016) to Auditor General’s Department (AG’s) in August and September last year and that, too, without tabling them at an Executive Committee meeting.
According to the Law, the president, secretary and treasurer are barred from contesting future elections if they have failed to submit their audited financial accounts on time.
IOC would interpret the situation. They have been working closely with NOCSL and the Ministry of Sports to make Sri Lankan laws compatible with the Olympic Charter. IOC tolerates no government interference in the affairs of the Olympic movement.
Audit Reports received
Meanwhile, the SecretaryGeneral has called for an office bearers' meeting for the first time since 2013 to discuss and adopt the Auditor General’s reports and audited accounts in two segments. The first meeting, which will be held on January 18th, will see the adoption of accounts from 2009 to 2012 while another meeting has been called for January 25 to adopt the accounts from 2013 to 2016.
This begs the question as to why the NOCSL failed to adopt its accounts for the period from 2009 to 2012 when the full executive committee was in control, a clear indication of a complete disregard for the Sports Law and the governing principles of Olympic Charter of transparency and accountability.
The full complement of the office bearers was never convened since 2013 and operations were carried by the president, secretary general and t reasurer despite clear instructions from the IOC to run affairs with existing office- bearers until the revision of the NOC constitution. An IOC statement issued on November 27, 2013, stated that revision of the constitution should be completed within six months but it took more than four years to complete the process. After much deliberation, it was adopted at a Special General Assembly held last week ( Jan. 4). The Sunday Times understands that the January 4th SGM was disrupted with well- orchestrated shouting and interventions, with new entrants who only have observer status being allowed to speak.