COLOMBO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara on Wednesday said the government was contemplating bringing in new laws to prevent athletes from selling or auctioning their international medals.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Colombo, Jayasekara said athletes could not be under the impression that their medals could be sold or auctioned as these medals belonged to the state.
"The government has spent millions on athletes. So no athlete can think they can do whatever they like with their medals. We will try to bring in new laws to prevent medals being sold or auctioned," Jayasekara said.
The minister's remarks came days after Sri Lanka's former sprint queen Susanthika Jayasingha said she would auction her Olympic medal due to financial difficulties.
Jayasingha, employed at the Sports Ministry as a Sports advisor, alleged that the ministry had refused to pay her salary amounting to Rs. 60,000 per month from April and athletes were not appreciated in the island country.
Jayasekara, however, refuted the allegations, stating Jayasingha had not performed her duties well.
Jayasingha won the silver medal in the 200m running final at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
