The order follows a sports ministry inquiry into an objection raised by one Hemal Dias that Tharanga had submitted three fake certificates.

The then SLBBFF secretary H.D.A. Gunasekara has confirmed that Tharanga had faked certificates to show that he won second places at Mr. Sri Lanka, Super Man and Muscle Mania competitions in 2002.

The director general of sports has instructed the federation chairman to convene a special general meeting to elect a new secretary.

Chairman Kithsiri Fernando said he notified in writing on August 26 that Tharanga had been removed from the position.

Speaking to the media, former secretary Gunasekara also said it was wrong to appoint a former chairman, a former secretary and a former treasurer to the SLBBFF’s executive committee.