Former president of the Sri Lanka Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (SLBBFF) Kapila Kumara who was serving a lifetime ban was acquitted and released by the Ministry of Sports.
The ban was lifted and conveyed through a letter by the Director General of Sports Dhammika Muthugala on Friday.
During former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara’s tenure he (Jayasekera) banned four former officials of the Sri Lanka Body Building and Fitness Federation and ten former officials of the Sri Lanka Judo Association when they were found guilty of various offenses, according to the report.
The banned officials included the former President of the Sri Lanka Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Kapila Kumara who was sentenced to a lifetime ban from all sports due to forgery, misusing funds and misconduct. Speaking to the Sunday Observer Kapila Kumara claimed that ex-Minster Jayasekera and his Director General imposed the ban on him due to personal animosity. “I went to the Human Rights Commission and filed the case against this decision taken by the Ministry of Sports,” said Kumara.
“According to the Sports Law, the Minister of Sports has no power to ban any sports federation official but former minister Dayasiri Jayasekara banned us,” said Kumara.
“Now the Sports Ministry has lifted the ban on me after the Human Rights Commission gave their decision in favour of me.” Kumara is currently holding the post of council secretary of the Ja-Ela Pradesha Sabawa and has worked with the current Director General of Sports Dhammika Muthugala at the Municipal Council of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.
“I thank the current Secretary and the Director General of the Sports Ministry as they have a vision for sports development,” said Kumara.
“My vision is to host the World Champions in Sri Lanka after being elected as the president of the SLBBF and if I fail to do this during my tenure I will retire from bodybuilding sports,” Kumara added.