The Sri Lanka Wrestling Federation is reported to have violated the Sports Law as well as international regulations by entering a coach for an international training session in Hungary without the approval of the Sports Ministry.
The International Wrestling Federation awarded the fully funded three month coaches training programme to Sri Lanka through the National Olympic Committee (NOC). The coach sent to follow the programme is Jagath Priyaratne without Ministry approval and the Wrestling Federation is reported to have violated the rules by allegedly submitting false details about him according to an official.
Former coach and National champion Shanthi Lal said that this coaching programme is very unique for the coaches as he had participated in it in 1999 and was selected after interviews conducted by the Wrestling Federation.
“I was selected to participate from among the 20 coaches who had applied. To be eligible to participate in this training programme a candidate should be between the age group of 25 to 40 years. But the federation has sent a person who is 58 years,” said Shanthi Lal. It is alleged that Jagath Priyaratne is a very close associate of the current Wrestling Federation president R.A.V. Shan Perera and Secretary M.A.C. Mallawarachchi. These two officials are also alleged to have also submitted forged documents to the Ministry a few months ago before the annual general meeting. Some of those eligible to follow the course in Hungary are Saman Dinesh, Kelum Perera and Hemal Perera of the Navy, Shan Fernando from Kandy, Dilurk Silva from Kalutara and K. Dileepa from Gampaha.
Several complains have been made to the Sports Ministry but no action has been taken.