The international football governing body, Fifa, has admitted that the headquarters of Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) is rented out to private business.

Denying any wrongdoing, Fifa earlier said that the FFSL headquarters "only hosts FFSL and the FIFA development office."

In an email communication to BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya in July it said that no private businesses are being run from the premises.

However, FFSL president Sarath Weerasekara, MP, admitted in an interview with the BBC that the HQ is used for private businesses to generate funds to run the building.

Contradicting claims

Anti-corruption campaigners said the contradicting claims by Fifa and FFSL were a clear indication that Fifa was misled by the football governing body in Sri Lanka.

But following a query made on the FFSL president's statement, Fifa in its latest response says that "a small part" of the HQ is rented out to find funds "for its maintenance".

"According to the information that FIFA has, the FFSL Goal project is used for its original purpose, ie FFSL Headquarter," the statement by Fifa media office received on 14 September said.

The FFSL headquarters, The Football House, is located at Independence Square, in a wealthy region of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

"A small part of the premises are rented out in order to raise funds needed for its maintenance," it added.

Fifa said it also 'understands' that the "revenue from the rental are also re-invested in football development."

Anti-graft campaigners have accused Fifa of not carrying out a proper investigation on allegations of serious corruption in Sri Lanka football.

Denying the accusations, Fifa says it is monitoring all financial transactions of member bodies.

- BBC Sandeshaya