- Insists IOC/OCA monitoring the situation
The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) President Suresh Subramaniam in a letter dated 22 December and addressed to all its affiliated members has emphasised the current Executive Board’s (EB) steadfast commitment to ensuring that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections of the EB, are held at the earliest possible opportunity.
However, he has informed the membership that there are several administrative issues relating to governance and accountability of the NOCSL, which warrants resolution in order to create a conducive environment to proceed with the AGM and subsequent elections of the EB.
Subramaniam has noted that these issues have been raised with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) for their guidance and in-put, as it is critical to fall in line with their requirements when dealing with such matters.
He has pointed out that the NOCSL is currently awaiting approval of the Budget for the year 2026 from its Finance Committee and the Auditor General’s (AGs) Report for the year 2024.
He has observed that these documents are crucial and necessary for the determination of the future course of the NOC for the year 2026, with the AGs Report and the Budget for the ensuing year being a pivotal prerequisite for the transacting of business at the AGM.
The NOCSL head in his communique to its members has stressed that a Forensic Audit for the period covering 1 January 2015 to December 2024 is currently underway, and being carried out by a reputed firm of Chartered Accountants/Auditors.
He has explained that the said audit is being conducted under the aegis of the IOC and OCA, and pursuant to several correspondence received from the IOC and the OCA, expressing its discontent at the lack of financial transparency, accountability and good governance, which has prevailed throughout the period under review.
The NOCSL President has stated that the undertaking given to the IOC/OCA that a forensic audit was in the process of being conducted, was one of the factors which led to the IOC/OCA lifting the sanction imposed on NOCSL in December last year, and has reiterated that the IOC/OCA continues to closely monitor the progress thereof to the date hereof.
Subramaniam has asserted that he has taken steps to diligently update the IOC/OCA regarding the progress of the forensic audit and other measures being implemented on an expeditious basis to restore principles of good governance, accountability, and financial transparency, with a view to reinstating the legitimacy and integrity of the NOCSL.
He has also given an unwavering assurance to the members of the NOCSL, that the conducting of the AGM as well as the election of office bearers for the ensuing years, would be done strictly under the guidance and supervision of the IOC and OCA.
He has said the two organisations are collectively committed to ensuring that the NOCSL would not slide back to its previous chaotic and undesirable state of affairs, where good governance, accountability and financial transparency were concerned.
The veteran sports administrator has lastly mentioned that since he has given periodic updates to the IOC/OCA regarding the on-going processes, he was currently awaiting a response/feedback from the IOC and OCA, as regards the way forward and insists that no sooner he receives a positive response he will update the general membership of the same, upholding the highest standards of transparency and good governance.