News

Jaswar wants foreigner to be executive officer

Published

7 months 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

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.