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Priyantha begins his second term as rugby head
By Shamseer Jaleel
The former Sri Lankan double international (Rugby and Basketball) Priyantha Ekanayake was re-elected uncontested as the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) at the Trans Asia Hotel yesterday.

Former Havelocks player Michael Jayasekera (Vice President) and Fazal Mohamed (Secretary) retained their positions. The Treasurers post was taken over by Sunil Karunanayake. Maj. Gen. Krishnaratne, sq. Ldr. Sanjaya Fernando, Arjun Dharmadasa, Mohan Samarakoon, DIG Daya Jayasundera, Ranjan Canagasabai and Roshan Deen were elected as the Council members.
The notable absentees from voting were the representatives from the schools section missing for the second year in succession. Former SLRFU President Lionel Almedia was elected as a Life member.

Priyantha and his team had a daunting task when they took over last year with a huge 9.5 million debt. Under Ekanayake it has been brought down to a mere ninety three thousand rupees. Priyantha speaking to The Sunday Times said that during 2005 the national team improved on world rankings from 68 to 46 and the Asian rankings from 10 to 6. He further praised the Executive Director and the IRB Referees Training Manager Dilroy Fernando for being instrumental in bringing in sponsorship from reputed institutions like Singer Sri Lanka, Caltex, Calsberg, JK Automation.

The club format is to be changed this year and the priority will be given to the Asiad which will be staged in Colombo during November this year. Priyantha further said that they will be hosting the tournament in Colombo and received confirmation from 15 countries. The likely venues are the Sugathadasa Stadium, CR & FC and the Royal Sports Complex.

Meanwhile the disciplinery committee has recommended to the Union to suspend CH & FC for six months and three players involved in the ugly club sevens incident Milinda Jayasinghe, Sanveewa Jayasinghe and Nalaka Weerakody to be suspended for one year each.

The national team will host China in Colombo on 29 April and then lock horns with Hong Kong on 14 May in the next round of the Rugby World Cup 2007 qualifying matches.

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