IOC cuts funding to Sri Lanka over internal feud

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) have raised concerns about the internal disputes of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), which have yet to be addressed and resolved properly.

“We understand that these internal disputes and ethical issues, in particular those raised by your NOC’s Ethics Committee, have yet to be addressed and resolved properly by your NOC,” James Macleod, NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365 Director IOC, told Surendran Subramaniam, President NOCSL, in a letter copied to Husain Al-Musallam, Director General, OCA.

The letter further said: This extremely regrettable situation, which has been seriously tarnishing the credibility and reputation of your NOC, has been going on for too long and has been creating a lot of uncertainty and doubts relating to the internal governance and operations of your NOC.” “Consequently, we regret to inform you that the IOC/Olympic Solidarity and the OCA are no longer in a position to make any payments to your NOC, except for direct payments to athletes benefiting from Olympic scholarships.”

“This protection and precautionary measure will apply with immediate effect and until further notice, until appropriate action is taken by your NOC to resolve its internal governance disputes and ethical issues.”

“Once again, we urge all concerned parties to act quickly and responsibly to remedy this situation in accordance with the principles and rules which govern the Olympic Movement, in the interest of the athletes and the Olympic Movement in Sri Lanka,” added Macleod.