Sri Lanka’s motorsports community has found itself at odds with the administration of the Director General of Sports, Shemal Fernando as Upulwan Serasinghe, a seasoned leader within Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS), openly criticised Fernando’s actions, citing a series of decisions that he claims have disrupted SLAS operations and endangered the sport’s future.

Upulwan Serasinghe
For Serasinghe and many others, the Director General’s (DG) conduct not only impedes SLAS’s ability to function but also signals a broader disregard for the integrity of motorsports governance in the country.
The initial friction arose when Fernando’s directives delayed the SLAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) past its legal deadline. SLAS had planned to meet its obligations under the Sports Law, but repeated intervention by Fernando forced a postponement that was beyond the control of SLAS officials.
“We were prepared to conduct the AGM on time, as the law requires, but the DG’s interference forced us to postpone it,” Serasinghe claimed. “Despite seeking then Sports Minister Harin Fernando’s help, his (Fernando’s) inconsistent directives led to more delays with no relief.”
The situation reached a critical point when, on May 31, a government gazette officially appointed Shemal Fernando as the Competent Authority, giving him sweeping powers over SLAS and three other sports bodies, one of which was rugby. For SLAS, this authority shift has raised serious concerns, as Fernando’s influence reportedly favoured certain clubs over others.
According to Serasinghe, it specially benefited the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR), which has since wielded growing influence over SLAS operations. “SLARDAR’s decisions have increasingly marginalised other clubs and attempted to dictate the future of motorsports,” he regretted.
More troubling is the newly established clubs with minimal racing experience granted voting rights, a move Serasinghe argues undermines SLAS’s mission and values.
The controversy escalated further with Fernando’s appointment of Shane Gunawardana, president of the Federation of Motor Cycle Sports of Sri Lanka (FMCC), as a facilitator for SLAS. The appointment of Gunawardana, a key figure in motorcycle racing rather than automobile sports, drew sharp criticism from SLAS leadership.
“It wasn’t about the individual but about the relevance of the appointment,” Serasinghe explained. “SLAS is a four-wheel organization and placing someone with expertise solely in two-wheel sports disregards the skills and knowledge SLAS requires to succeed.”
Although Gunawardana has since been removed from the role, Serasinghe asserts that the appointment highlighted an ongoing lack of understanding or respect for SLAS’s unique needs within the motorsports sector.
Beyond these administrative issues, SLAS faces significant logistical challenges that are integral to the sport’s survival. For years, the organisation relied heavily on the support of the Army, Navy and Air Force, which maintain the racetracks critical to Sri Lanka’s motorsports events. Tracks like those at Fox Hill and Colombo Super Cross host major competitions and form the sport’s backbone in the country.
“For years, motorsports have thrived due to the Armed Forces, not the Department of Sports Development. Due to the high technical demands and risks associated with racing, we’ve received little support from the Department, which remains mostly uninvolved,” said Serasinghe.
In response to mounting pressure from SLAS and other motorsport entities, Fernando appears to be making efforts to improve his support for the sport, but Serasinghe remains doubtful. “It’s too little, too late,” he declared. “While there are some signs of engagement now, the motorsports community fears it’s merely a superficial response. Without genuine, unbiased support, SLAS and Sri Lanka’s broader racing scene will continue to suffer.”
Serasinghe’s broadside reflects the cumulative impact of a long-standing struggle: “We’ve kept this sport alive out of sheer passion, with no government funding. It’s the motorsports community that has sustained us,” said Serasinghe, national champion driver for the past 15 years who has won nearly 2,000 trophies for his efforts.
In light of these growing concerns, representatives from several key motorsports clubs across Sri Lanka submitted a letter to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who is also the Sports Minister for her decisive intervention. The clubs expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Amarasuriya who cancelled Shane Gunawardana’s appointment as SLAS facilitator, which they view as a victory for fair governance and transparency.
Signatories of the letter included notable clubs such as the Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club (SLMMCC), Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC), Southern Motor Sports Club (SMSC), Motor Racing Association (MRA), Negombo Motor Sports Club (NMSC), Sri Lanka Auto Sports Drivers Association (SLADA), and the Sri Lanka Army Motor Sports Committee (SLAMSC).
In their letter, the clubs raised several key legal and ethical issues regarding Shemal Fernando’s actions as Competent Authority for SLAS, citing major points such as unlawful delegation of authority, conflict of interest and lack of relevant expertise.
The clubs argued that Fernando’s decision to appoint Gunawardana violated the legal principle of “Delegatus non potest delegare”, which restricts delegated authority from being further delegated without explicit permission. This action, they argued, crossed boundaries defined by Sri Lanka’s Sports Law.
According to SLAS, Gunawardana’s role as President of FMCC, a motorcycle sports organisation, posed an inherent conflict with his appointment to a body focused exclusively on four-wheel sports. The clubs argued the conflict could compromise decision-making and policy alignment within SLAS.
The clubs’ letter also stressed the need for swift corrective action to protect SLAS’s reputation, prevent resource misuse, and ensure that member clubs are shielded from undue influence or interference.
With renewed hope following the government’s prompt intervention, the clubs expressed optimism for a more balanced and transparent future for Sri Lanka’s motorsports.
They called on all stakeholders to prioritise the sport’s best interests, upholding principles of fairness and professionalism as the sector navigates the challenges.