SLRFU continues unheeded amidst confusion
The office bearers elected two years ago headed by Asanga Seneviratne still continue to carry on their duties at the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) after the second attempt to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) was put off by the Ministry of Sports two weeks ago.According to the incumbent general secretary of SLRFU, Nalin de Silva they are yet to get a new date from the Ministry of Sports after Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake postponed the AGM, which was due to be held on May 14, indefinitely.
First to get the news? -- Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake whispers something into Sri Lanka rugby skipper Fazil Marija’s ears at a felicitation ceremony held to honour the national team that won the ARFU Asian5Nation Division I Championship on May 13, a day before the SLRFU AGM was postponed. SLRFU chief Asanga Seneviratne (on left) seems unbothered. – Pic by Amila Gamage
“The AGM was earlier due to be held on March 17 and then was postponed for May 14. But the Sports Minister wanted the AGM further postponed, so we obliged. We are yet to receive a fresh date from the Ministry of Sports and the moment they give us the instructions we are ready to implement and follow,” de Silva stated.
So far none of the international sports governing bodies entangled with the issue of the AGM being not held such as the International Rugby Board (IRB), Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) or the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has interfered in the matter. De Silva further said that until the red light is shown by any of these international bodies the current set of officials will continue to hold office at SLRFU.
“We have complied when needed. We are ready to go for an AGM but we were advised not to do so by the local hierarchy. We have performed our duties as rugby officials with our utmost and we will always comply accordingly,” he said.
Even the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) has now given the task and freehand of holding the rugby AGM to the SLRFU and the Ministry of Sports. However according to NOC General Secretary Maxwell de Silva, an official of the current SLRFU administration has filed a case of which details remain unknown. But it is learnt that the case has relevance with the legitimacy of the present regulation of the Ministry of Sports, which even the NOC strongly objects.
“The IOC has told both the SLRFU and the Ministry of Sports what is right and wrong. Both these parties will have to decide on the AGM of rugby but it is yet to happen. If things drag on the IRB has the right to interfere and decide what should be done. As the NOC we have a very small role to play now,” the NOC General Secretary stated.
In mid April the IRB and ARFU issued warnings to the SLRFU of facing possible bans from competing at tournaments conducted by them after the incumbent president of SLRFU, Asanga Seneviratne received an official communiqué from Ross Mitchell, the General Manager of ARFU demanding clear explanations on crucial points with regard to the AGM.
Mitchell’s letter to Seneviratne stated: “the IOC is expressing very grave concerns regarding Government interference in the running of sporting activities in Sri Lanka, contrary to the basic principles of autonomy. The SLRFU, as one of the National Federations, must be free from any undue Government interference, as per our dialogue at the recent ARFU EXCO,” demanding replies to four querries which were, “is the National Federation (SLRFU) being required to hold elections under the existing Sports Law of Sri Lanka?; does the existing Sports Law contradict the SLRFU’s own constitution in any way e.g. impose limited terms of office for SLRFU office bearers?; has the National Federation been invited to contribute to the process of redrafting the Sports Law (as per the agreed roadmap)? and has the SLRFU been invited to review its existing constitution and to make any amendments that are not in line with the basic tenets of the World Rugby/ARFU constitution?”
The letter also querried for confirmation if any revision process has been started or is in progress or has been completed. “As is clear from the latest IOC correspondence dated 7th April, the IOC has set a final deadline of 31st May 2015 for compliance with the agreed roadmap and for the Sports Law to have full compatibility with the principles of the Olympic Movement.”
Minister Dissanayake also received a copy of the letter from the IOC sent to Seneviratne. Ministry of Sports officials were unavailable for any comments on the development of the SLRFU AGM, which it earlier said was pushed back due to legal aspects.