While financial misuse and corruption allegations plague many institutions in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Swimming Club stands out as a beacon of change, thanks to the concerted efforts of its concerned members.
The Committee of 2022, led by its president Kishan Karunaratna and vice president Pam Pieris, faced severe criticism for their dictatorial attitudes plaguing the club. Members voiced their concerns during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and at subsequent Special General Meetings (SGMs) in 2023, leading to the resignation of the entire Committee, except for the newly elected vice president.
Demanding accountability, members pushed for an audit of the 2022 accounts. The audit report by prestigious auditors BDO uncovered that millions had been spent without proper approval, sanctioned by the president, vice president and committee member Sanjeev Jayasinghe.
Expenditures totalling Rs. 135,241,913 million far exceeded the approved budget of Rs. 11,265,125 million and were conducted without due process, as highlighted in a Special Audit on Project approval shared by former head of finance Namal Perera.
Established during British colonial rule, many prestigious clubs in Sri Lanka lack sufficient checks and balances. While these institutions were once overseen by men of responsibility, recent years have seen a decline in ethical leadership. The Colombo Swimming Club, however, has distinguished itself by taking proactive steps to address financial mismanagement within its ranks.
The club’s actions underscore the need for a comprehensive review of governance practices across all institutions. Members of the Colombo Swimming Club can take pride in being at the forefront of positive change, setting an example for others to follow.
There could also be some revelations of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) compensation audit at the Colombo Swimming Club that gave up some of its space for road expansion on the Marine Drive.
The impending shock of the compensation news underscores how one member’s arbitrary actions have endangered the club and placed them in the deep end.
