AA Ex-co condemns call for Interim Committee

The Executive Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL), while unanimously condemning a call by its President Janaka Bandara Tennekoon to appoint an Interim Committee to administer local track and field, and decided that they would continue to consider the Minister of Provincial Councils as their head.

Despite wide publicity given through media (not in the 'Daily News), Minister Tennekoon, who was elected to the AASL top seat only seven months ago, did not forward any letter for his resignation.

Under these circumstances, the AASL Ex-co, which met under Acting President and senior Vice President, Sunil Jayaweera at the AASL headquarters last night, decided that Minister Tennekoon would continue to hold the top seat of the local athletic governing body.

However, it was reported yesterday that Minister Tennekoon would step down, a day before a planned no-confidence motion to be brought against him. His demand to sack the AASL Ex-co and replace it with an Interim Committee appointed by the Sports Minister, was highly criticised at yesterday's Ex-co meeting.

The Ex-co members unanimously voiced against the unethical call by their President and said such a request by an elected national athletic governing body member is against the rules and regulations of the world body - IAAF. However, the Ex-co members said they would continue to consider Minister Tennekoon as the AASL President as he has not officially tabled any letter of resignation.

The raw airline ticketing deal for the Sri Lanka athletic team for the recent Asian Championship in South Korea was highly criticised by the Executive Committee members. It was disclosed that no Ex-co approval has been obtained for the suspicious deal worth over Rs. 2.8 million.

AASL Treasurer had reportedly told the Ex-co that he was forced to put his signature on the cheque only a day after the team's departure to Incheon, Korea without any usual minimum one-month credit period.

While a ticket for the Sri Lanka baseball team, which also travelled on the same flight with the athletes, cost only Rs. 55,000/- each, AASL had paid Rs. 62,000/- each for over 45 tickets. It was alleged that 'unofficially' appointed CEO of the AASL, Karunaratne Samarasinghe has handled the ticketing and forced the treasurer to sign the cheque, stating that was an order from the Minister.

After considering all these allegations, the AASL Ex-co decided to initiate a probe on the matter. The Ex-co directed AASL Finance Committee, headed by Ashley de Abrew, to investigate and report to the Bribery Commission, if they find anything fishy.

Both the AASL President Tennekoon and the CEO named by him, (Sanarasinghe) were not present at yesterday's Ex-co meeting. (D.W.)