SL Football focussed on historic SAFF success

• Says attempts to undermine progress underway 

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) on Thursday (7) in a media release reaffirmed its full commitment towards winning the upcoming SAFF Championship, scheduled to take place in four months-time.

This was while strongly condemning attempts by a few individuals to destabilise the tremendous progress achieved by Sri Lankan football during the past two-year period.

The FFSL categorically rejected certain allegations made by ex-football official Sunil Senaweera, describing the accusations as baseless, spurious, misleading and motivated by personal jealousy.

The FFSL said that Senaweera’s ulterior motives have been aimed at tarnishing the image of Sri Lankan football at a time when the nation is witnessing unprecedented growth and international recognition.

The federation emphasised that Sri Lankan football has undergone a rapid and transformative development process under the leadership of Jaswar Umar, who was democratically elected by football stakeholders.

This was after decades during which football administration remained within a closed circle without due elections for over 35 years.

“People brought change by electing me from an ordinary family and from within the football stakeholders,” said the FFSL President Jaswar Umar. “Football in Sri Lanka is no longer controlled as a private property of a few individuals.”

The FFSL head further stated that some of the very individuals now criticising the federation were themselves beneficiaries of the previous system and insisted had personally benefitted via football-related dealings and appointments.

He asserted that under the current FFSL administration, Sri Lanka football had achieved significant milestones within just two-and-a-half years.

Sports analysts across the region have recognised Sri Lanka as one of the fastest-improving football nations in South Asia during the recent period.

Umar remarked that Sri Lanka had recorded nine international victories during the last competitive cycle – reportedly the highest number of international wins among South Asian nations during the period.

The FFSL boss maintained that the national team had also achieved a major rise in FIFA Rankings, moving from 207 to 191, one of the most notable ranking improvements globally.

The governing body stressed that its entire focus is now directed towards achieving historic success at the SAFF Championship and bringing the regional title back to Colombo after three decades.

The FFSL president emphasised that its financial operations are reviewed continuously and independently audited, ensuring transparency and accountability at every level.

Responding to specific allegations, the federation stated that former official Senaweera had previously held posts within it through appointments rather than democratic elections.

The FFSL stated that his previous engagement with the national team had been discontinued following multiple controversies and alleged misconduct.

The federation also confirms that an internal probe is currently underway regarding sports equipment and football merchandise reportedly received during an overseas training program in Japan while Senaweera was serving as team manager.

According to the FFSL, several items worth millions of rupees were allegedly not officially handed over or properly accounted for following the program.

The controlling body stated that the relevant matters are being formally reviewed and affirmed that appropriate procedures will be followed through the relevant authorities.

Box this

The federation highlighted the major governance and structural reforms implemented in collaboration with FIFA and AFC

These reforms include:

Adoption of a new FFSL Constitution

Introduction of governance and compliance mechanisms

Recruitment of a highly qualified CEO from the corporate and banking sector

Appointment of a professional Finance Manager from a leading blue-chip apparel company

Engagement of an international firm to oversee financial systems alongside FIFA monitoring procedures

Source: The morning