Prof. Dickson inspires governance reform in Sri Lankan sports

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 01:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: University of Kelaniya Senior Lecturer Anoma Ratnayake, NOC Sri Lanka Education Committee Treasurer and Chairperson Prithiviraj Perera, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia Prof. Geoffrey Dickson, NOC Sri Lanka Vice President Niloo Jayatilake

By Shamseer Jaleel

The National Olympic Council of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) successfully hosted a seminar on ‘Strengthening Good Governance in Sri Lanka Sports Organisations’ at Olympic House in Colombo recently with Prof. Geoffrey Dickson of La Teobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

The event brought together leaders of national sports federations, as well as officials from the Sports and Education Ministries to discuss integrity, accountability, and governance reform in Sri Lankan sport.

NOC Sri Lanka Education Committee Treasurer and Chairperson Prithiviraj Perera highlighted the urgency of rebuilding governance structures to restore international confidence and funding. He urged closer collaboration among federations and State agencies to strengthen transparency and efficiency.

Delivering the keynote, Prof. Dickson stressed that successful reform goes beyond regulation it requires a cultural transformation within sporting organisations. He drew lessons from Australia’s Sports Commission showing the independence, accountability, board renewal, and transparency, commending Sri Lanka’s National Sports Association Regulations as a progressive step forward. He ended as saying governance reform provides the rules but culture gives those rules in life giving the organisational culture ultimately determines the success of governance frameworks.

This initiative reinforces NOCSL’s ongoing commitment to promoting good governance, integrity, and ethical leadership across Sri Lanka’s sporting landscape.