Soldier remanded for extortion

By Ananda Weerasooriya-Friday, 11 Oct 2013

A soldier who was arrested by Kollupitiya police for allegedly extorting money from shops and massage clinics using the names of Senior Police Officers was produced before Fort Magistrate and District Judge, Thilina Gamage and was remanded till 24 October.

Suspect Indika Lal Siriwardena from Hiriweddala Nawanthuduwa is a soldier attached to 7th Singha Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army.

He had extorted Rs. 5000 from the Manager of Sathsara Massage Clinic in Kolluptiya before being arrested by the police.

The suspect had told the Manager that he has been sent to collect the money by a Senior Police Officer.

Police informed the Court that the suspect had extorted money from the massage parlour on previous occasions as well.(Ceylon Today Online)

FIFA bans Manilal Fernando for life for corruption

October 10, 2013, 12:00 pm 

ZURICH: FIFA has imposed a lifetime ban on Sri Lanka’s behind the scenes soccer supremo, Manilal Fernando, a former executive committee member accused of corruption.

The appeal committee of soccer’s governing body issued the sanction Wednesday against Vernon Manilal Fernando, a Sri Lankan who had previously been banned for eight years.

FIFA rejected his appeal of the eight-year penalty and banned him for life "from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level.’’ FIFA says Fernando broke rules on conflict of interest, bribery and corruption, accepting gifts and other benefits, among other violations.

It did not specify the circumstances of the misconduct.

Fernando’s original ban was announced in April. He had been a close associate of Mohamed bin Hammam, a Qatari who was expelled by FIFA for life after a bribery scandal connected to his failed bid to oust FIFA President Sepp Blatter.