Former Vice President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Ranjith Rodrigo said he would send a letter of demand to former FFSL President Jaswar Umar seeking compensation of Rs.500 million over several remarks he has made during a news conference accusing Mr. Rodrigo.

During a news conference held the day before yesterday, Mr. Umar has alleged that Mr. Rodrigo and former FFSL President Anura de Silva had defrauded the Federation of Rs.47 million.

Mr. Rodrigo said the former accountant of the FFSL was remanded for 45 days over the same allegations and a court case is currently underway against him. "The former President is fully aware of this. He has willfully made the allegations against myself and Mr. De Silva to tarnish our images," he said.  

Mr. Rodrigo said former President Umar was also the deputy secretary and then the chief executive officer of the Football Federation at the time the alleged fraud took place.

Former Vice President Rodrigo said Mr. Umar should take the responsibility if an international ban is imposed on football in Sri Lanka, and that he strongly condemns the placing of this responsibility on the government, the sports minister or other officials.

Mr. Rodrigo said the actions of Mr. Umar who functioned as President for a longer period of time contravene the statements made by the Parliamentary Committee On Public Enterprises to bring a new Football Constitution within three months. 

"These actions will pave away for an international ban on football in Sri Lanka and the government's decision to withdraw the extension of the term of the Football Federation was also taken due to fraudulent actions of the former president Umar," he said.

Source - The Island