Sport Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera has hit out at former Olympic champion Susanthika Jayasinghe saying the track star was ‘ungrateful’ for what the state had done for her, both before and after her ascension to stardom.

Addressing a press briefing at the Information Department the Co-Cabinet spokesperson said he would bring about laws to prevent athletes from selling or auctioning off any medals they have won at international events.

His response is in reaction to Susanthika Jayasinghe’s claims the state was mistreating her. Ms. Jayasinghe had said that she would soon be forced to sell her Olympic medal, as she was no longer the beneficiary of payment from the Sports Ministry.

Refuting her allegations, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said Susanthika Jayasinghe was currently earning a salary of over 120, 000 as she was not just the beneficiary of payment of Rs. 60, 000 from the Sports Ministry but also earning Rs. 60, 000 from the Army to train its athletes.

He further alleged that Susanthika Jayasinghe was causing an uproar simply because he has asked her to hand in reports on her work and said the state has spent a huge amount on Susanthika Jayasinghe, and that she was ungrateful.