After many years of having a free hand at an organization that was embroiled in squabbling, back-stabbing, under-cutting and corruption, the Sri Lanka Badminton Federation yesterday met its waterloo at the hands of the Human Rights Commission who ordered that its disputed election of office-bearers be put on hold.
The directive by the Human Rights Commission, signed by its chairman Justice Priyantha RP Perera a former Judge of the Supreme Court, has noted that a serious violation of the rights of candidates for the election had taken place in which Prof. Ranjith Silva and LR Ariyananda, two ex-National champions had their nominations rejected.
Prof Silva submitted his nomination for the top post of president while Ariyananada was to contest the post of secretary.
The directive has been sent to Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and his Ministry director Ranjani Jayakoday who were preparing to conduct the March 30 election.
“We are trying to clean up this (badminton) mess and this is the start for us”, Ariyananda told Ceylon Today.
He is a seven times National Champion and the current president of the Western Province Badminton Association.
Prof Silva is not only an ex Sri Lanka champ but a World Masters winner who also holds office in the World Badminton Federation where he serves as a Committee Member.
For years badminton has been seen as having a rotten and corrupt administration where even parents of players are privileged to call the shots and dictate terms to officials who have been accused many times of fleecing schoolboys and girls when it comes to participation at international meets.
Although Minister Aluthgamage had threatened to sack its administration nothing was done.
The Badminton Federation not only rejected the nominations of seven candidates but also increased the number of votes allocated to associations that they considered favourable to their candidates whose nominations were accepted.
The Human Rights Commission has told the Sports Ministry that no election should take place until further investigations by them are completed.
