New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday departed for a six-day state visit to Angola and Botswana as part of India's efforts to open up new avenues for collaboration and expanding partnership with the two countries in the African region.New Delhi
Sri Lanka To Hunt Down 2022 CWG ‘Runaway’ Athletes With Interpol Help
Sri Lanka To Hunt Down 2022 CWG ‘Runaway’ Athletes With Interpol Help
In a dramatic turn of events, Sri Lanka is set to ask Interpol to issue red notices for the arrest of several athletes who vanished after the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and never returned home.
The revelation came during a hearing at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on Friday, where the court also imposed travel bans on 10 athletes suspected of residing illegally in the United Kingdom.
50 Million Rupee Blow to the State
According to the Sports Ministry's Offences Prevention Unit, the absconding athletes caused a financial loss of around 50 million Sri Lankan rupees (roughly USD 150,000) by failing to return.
“These athletes left the Games Village and did not come back after the event," said Police Inspector Supun Vidanage, who is leading the investigation.
He told the court that the Sri Lankan contingent at the Birmingham Games consisted of 116 athletes, 28 training officials, 11 medical officers, and 23 other personnel representing boxing, wrestling, judo, and volleyball.
Of these, nine athletes, one team manager, and a sports photographer disappeared after the competition ended.
Interpol Red Notices on the Way
Vidanage confirmed that the government will soon request Interpol assistance to locate and extradite the absconders.
He explained to reporters that local arrest warrants are the first step before approaching Interpol for international notices.
“This court action is the start of the process. Once domestic warrants are issued, we can proceed with red notices through Interpol," Vidanage said.
A Grim Backdrop to Sporting Chaos
The 2022 Birmingham Games, held from late July to mid-August, came at a time when Sri Lanka was reeling from an economic collapse — the nation had declared bankruptcy after defaulting on its external debt.
Despite the turmoil, the country managed to win one silver and one bronze medal, finishing 31st overall in the medal standings.
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The investigation falls under the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act, established in 2019, which allows authorities to take legal action against those accused of misconduct in the sports sector.
(with PTI inputs)
Source: News18
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New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday departed for a six-day state visit to Angola and Botswana as part of India's efforts to open up new avenues for collaboration and expanding partnership with the two countries in the African region.New Delhi
3 months ago
