Just five days out from Sri Lanka Badminton Federation’s (SLBF) new election, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has lifted the international suspension of Sri Lanka with immediate effect.
“Given that two of the main conditions have been met, and that the Sri Lanka Government is in the process of amending the Sports Law and Regulations, the BWF will now lift the suspension of the SLBF with immediate effect.” the BWF letter addressed to its president Suraj Dandeniya with copies to NOC and IOC signed by its Secretary General Thomas Lund stated.
The BWF suspended the SLBF on 21st July early this year following election drama which occurred due to the amendment of the sports law by the Sports Ministry during the time of Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
Those amendments came in to play in 2015 when the election was lined up.
It created a dilemma in the country’s sporting arena where many sports were handed over to interim committees including cricket, while the IAAF and IOC sent warning letters before the BWF and FINA went beyond that to suspend their local bodies.
The new election of SLBF held on last Saturday where former president Dandeniya won the presidency with 34 votes beating his rival Prof. Ranjith de Silva who got only 12 votes.
The election was held along with observers from NOC as well as BWF at SLBF Headquarters in Torrington.
“Following the AGM of the SLBF on Saturday 5 December 2015, the BWF and NOC observers at the meeting have confirmed that in their opinion the meeting together with the elections was conducted in accordance with the SLBF Constitution. We understand that the Sri Lankan Government and NOC are in discussions on wording of amendments to the relevant paragraphs of the Sports Law and Regulations. The BWF has an expectation that the Sri Lanka Government will meet its commitments and amend these in accordance with the conditions and timelines communicated by the IOC. The BWF will continue to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka and to review the changes to the regulations when enacted,” the letter has further stated.
Nevertheless, the letter has given fair warning to the Sri Lankan Government stating that they won’t hesitate to go back to their early decision if things didn’t go well.
“If the Sri Lankan Government however fails to make the necessary changes, the BWF may be forced to review the status once more and to take the necessary action to protect the autonomy of the SLBF.”
The suspension by the swimming world body (FINA) is yet to be lifted.
