Two letters from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), imposing an immediate ban on the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), have surfaced in the media.

The Daily Morning Sports learnt that the two letters have been sent to former FFSL General Secretary Upali Hewage, informing him of an immediate ban enforced on the country’s football governing body. 

The two letters mention several reasons for the ban. 

One letter, sent directly to Hewage, stated: “The bureau considered that the aforementioned circumstances constitute undue interference by a third party in accordance with article 14 paragraphs 1 i) and 3 of the FIFA Statutes, and in accordance with article 16 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes. Therefore, the Bureau decided on 21 January 2023 to suspend the FFSL with immediate effect due to flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes.”

The other letter, sent to all the member associations of FIFA, stated: “We hereby inform you that as a result of the decision taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council on 21 January 2023, the FFSL has been suspended until further notice in accordance with article 16 of the FIFA statutes.” 

The letter sent to Hewage stipulated three conditions that must be met for the ban to be lifted:

• Official and written exemption from the current national sports law to be legally granted to the FFSL/Sri Lankan football in order to guarantee the recognition and implementation of the newly adopted FFSL Statutes (22 September 2022)

• The FFSL administration to be fully in charge of the FFSL’s daily affairs until a new FFSL Executive Committee is elected due to the elections of 14 January 2023 not being recognised by either FIFA or the AFC

• Elections for a new FFSL Executive Committee to be organised as per the newly adopted FFSL Statutes (22 September 2022), especially by secret ballot and for a four-year mandate

The Daily Morning Sports contacted Indika Thenuwara, who was appointed Secretary of the FFSL last week. He said that the newly elected committee is yet to assume duties and hasn’t officially been notified regarding any ban. Hence, he was unable to comment on the matter. 

J. Sri Ranga, who was elected the new President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), was supposed to resume duties after the Court of Appeal cancelled the order that was passed on 18 January, temporarily suspending the new officials from undertaking duties, which was based on a petition submitted by former FFSL President Jaswar Umar.