Mr. Hee Man

Date: 05-12-2011 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamSri Lanka

A national bodybuilding competition held in Galle recently has run into controversy with the Sports Ministry rejecting the certificates with a seal of the signature of MP R. Duminda Silva, which was issued to the winners.
The ‘Mr. Hee Man 2011’ national bodybuilding championship organized by the Lakmini sports center in association with the Sri Lanka Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation was held at the Galle Fort Hall De Galle auditorium on November 25.
Certificates issued to the winners had the seal of a signature of MP R. Duminda Silva who is receiving treatment in Singapore as a result of the injuries he suffered in the Mulleriyawa shooting incident.
Silva is the President of the Sri Lanka Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation but in his absence a seal was used with a copy of his signature.
When The Sunday Leader contacted the Director General of the Sports Department of the Ministry of Sports Ranjini Jayakody, she said that using a seal without a signature on a certificate issued at a national sporting event is illegal.
She noted that if the President of a sports federation is unavailable then the Vice President should place his signature on the certificate.
Jayakody further said that there had not been any request to substitute the signature of MP Duminda Silva in his absence.
She also said that if the President of an association or another appointed official is overseas then the certificates should be sent overseas to obtain the signature.
When asked by The Sunday Leader if certificates issued with invalid signatures can be recalled or cancelled, Ranjini Jayakody said it can be done if a participant lodges an official complaint.
Meanwhile The Sunday Leader contacted the Sports Ministry Secretary Udaya Seniviratne and he said that a certificate issued by a sports federation will not be recognized or accepted at any institution if it does not have a valid signature.
Over 90 participants took part in the event and the Chief Guest was a Director from Lake House.