All set for Cycling Federation elections

Anuradha Abeysekera

The Sports Ministry’s decision to conduct the Cycling Federation (CFSL) election on July 7, came in for questioning by many but the Ministry arrived at this decision after conducting an investigation was into protests made over nominations.

The President of the District Cycling Association, Anuradhapura, N Karunaratne raised an objection over former CFSL President and presidential candidate, retired DIG of Police K. P. P. Pathirana’s nomination. Karunaratne emphasized that Pathirana’s application must be rejected as he is no more a member of the Police Sports Club due to his retirement from the service on 19-05-20011.

He further pointed out that even though Ministry accepted Nishantha Piyasena’s application, it too should not be allowed as he is an owner of a cycle spare parts business. Karunaratne blamed that Nishantha has violated the sports law and CFSL constitution.

He also questioned whether the Ministry has inquired into the complaints made against Thusitha Matharaarachchi before they allowed his Vice Presidency nomination.

According to Karunar-atne, Sports Ministry has turned a blind eye to the complaint made by Kalutara District Cycling Association Secretary H Veelung, blaming that there is a misrepresentation of the District Association by a bogus organization.

Karunaratne added that the Ministry has purposely neglected to register Sapphire Cycle Club and banned the Veterans Cycling Association to barr them them from voting at in the election.

Karunaratne expressed his surprise for the rejection of Patrick Hapuara-chchi’s nomination without an inquiry. He also said that while majority of the clubs requested for a secret ballot, Ministry has decided to go for an open election.

When Daily News contacted the Sports Development Department Director General Ranjini Jayakody regarding these allegations she directed us to I. P. Wijeratne, the person who has been appointed by the Sports Minister to conduct the CFSL election.

Wijeratne explained that the nominations was called last February, Pathirana has not retired from Police Service and the nominations received at that time is valid for election and on that basis he is eligible to contest. If new nominations were called the situation may have changed.

“Nishantha Piyasena has been cleared from the allegations leveled against him after an inquiry conducted by the former Director General of the Sports Development Department, P. Satharasinghe and there is no reason for us to reject his application,” Wijeratne disclosed.

He further said that if there have been complaints against Thusitha regarding account reports, Sports Ministry must have inquired into it. “But I am not aware fn such complaints and I do not know whether he has been prosecuted or not,” Wijeratne claimed.

Speaking about the Kalutara District Cycling Association and Sapphire Cycling Club registration, Wijeratne said that voting eligibility of clubs have been considered during the CFSL Interim Committee’s reign and it has been the Committee’s duty to submit new applications to the Ministry for the registration.

“The Interim Committee was represented by both these rival parties and Sports Ministry is not responsible for those decisions,” he said.

“We have a letter with the signature of former CFSL Secretary, informing us that only active Cycling Clubs should be given the voting rights during the election and they have sent a list of active clubs.

This Veterans Cycling Association was not included in that list. That is the reason for them to lose their vote right” Wijeratne explained.

“Hapuarachchi’s Application was rejected after an inquiry where a court judgment has proved his guilt. If they say that it has been done without an inquiry that is not true. I do not know about a request for a secret ballet.

We were of the opinion that it should be an open election where the transparency should be preserved to the highest degree. But there may be an alternative for the customary voting form of casting a vote by raising hand. I have to discuss it with the Director General of the Sports Development Department. Till then I cannot conform it,” said Wijeratne.

Wijeratne further said that this tough-o-war between two parties has caused great hindrance for the development of the sport. “The election has been dragged for so long. Anyway we’ll conduct this election as scheduled and if there is a grieving party they can go to courts after the election, he concluded.