News

Jaswar wants foreigner to be executive officer

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2023

editor

Jaswar Umar, who assumed duties as the new president of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) yesterday (03), has said that he will get the service of a foreign national as the Football Executive Officer.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the richest sports association in Sri Lanka, has also given the position of executive officer of its administration to a Sri Lankan. Therefore, experts in the field said the new FFSL President’s remarks had belittled Sri Lankan executives.

The experts are disappointed with the decision of Umar to send back the amount of US Dollars the country may receive through the sport.

Meanwhile, it is said that Umar has made this statement based on the instructions received by FIFA due to the allegations of financial fraud persisted at FFSL in the past.

Though the appointment of a foreign national as the executive officer will be convenient for the international administration of football, the experts raised concerns that it will lead to practical difficulties for the local administration.

According to media reports, during the first executive committee meeting, Umar has discussed the programme to revive football by giving incentives to football leagues.

The reports further said that discussions were held regarding the strengthening of the football leagues and the launch of inter-club football tournaments. League matches would be provided with financial support as well.

Umar has also said that he will start a project to distribute 10,000 footballs in order to enhance football at school level.

He further said: “It is important to strengthen the football administration. A foreign national will be employed as the football executive. Also, a foreign coach with experience will be recruited for the technical department. The football calendar will also be released as soon as possible.”

News

Maid at Keheliya’s residence, remanded

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (June 11) ordered the remand of a woman who had worked as a maid at the private residence of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, until June 17.

She was remanded over the case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

The suspect, Nipuni Krishnajina Rajapaksha, a resident of Embilipitiya, was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 11, 2025.

According to CIABOC, she is believed to be connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of government salaries and overtime allowances through false Health Ministry appointments.

News

Ranil gives statement on Immunoglobulin Cabinet papers

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement.

The statement was in relation to cabinet papers submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella concerning the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the CID at 3:00 PM and gave his statement over the course of approximately one hour.

The questioning focused on two cabinet papers presented on September 26 and October 25, 2022, which proposed the emergency purchase of Human Immunoglobulin and other medications.

The cabinet papers, submitted by Minister Rambukwella, cited a severe shortage of essential medicines in the country and emphasized the urgent need to procure additional stocks to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

President AKD meets his German counterpart (Pics)

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.

Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.

The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.

(President’s Media Division)