Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage on Tuesday (2) issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification temporarily suspending the registrations of the Sri Lanka Handball Federation, the Sri Lanka Carrom Federation, and the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, and placing their administration under the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

According to the Gazette notification, the Minister has taken this decision in terms of the powers vested in him under Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, as amended. 

The relevant Extraordinary Gazette Notification (No. 2489/48) has been published accordingly.

The national sports federations affected by the decision are the Sri Lanka Handball Federation, the Sri Lanka Carrom Federation and the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, respectively.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Secretary Aruna Bandara has been appointed as the Competent Authority to oversee the control, administration, and other essential functions of these federations. The appointment is effective from 19 May.

The Gazette states that the decision was taken to facilitate the amendment of the existing constitutions of the respective federations and to ensure the transparent conduct of elections for the appointment of new office-bearers.

 Accordingly, the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been vested with full authority to manage and administer the affairs of the three federations until Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are held under the amended constitutions and new office-bearers are elected.

The Extraordinary Gazette notification was issued on 19 May, under the signature of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage.