The much looked forward Annual General Meeting of the Rugby Football governing body SLRFU was postponed as the main body rejected a few official bearers of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU). A fresh election needs to be held within 30 days and confirmed to the IRB (International Rugby Board)
Speaking to the Sunday Times Regional Manager for the IRB Gerrad Gallagher who came as an observer said he was very happy to see a “very good attendance” but unfortunately this needed to be postponed. Gallagher continued saying that IRB will be watching closely and this needs to be sorted out within 30 days and if not the grants to the country as well as the funding could run in to danger.
Asanga Seneviratne who was contesting for the President’s post said that it was “very ugly” the way Lasitha Gunaratne behaved. “We did not come in for any fights, we want a fair election that’s all we are asking”. Asanga ended by saying: “We will be seeking legal opinion in the near future for the course of action to be taken”.
Present President of the Union, Air Marshall Roshan Gunatilake said: “We have given 30 days for the WPRFU to sort out their issues. There election was not a fair one they did not allow the Forces to vote. Air Force, Navy, Army and Police votes were not taken in to account which is very wrong.
We have done, as a committee, a lot during this short stint. The country had climbed in the IRB ranking as well as the Asian Rankings. We have reached the top five and only 2 months away from the first game. I am confident of getting elected as president and will continue the good work my committee had done in the past.”
According to the voting rights Western Province (28), Central Province (10), Sabaragamuwa Province (8), Uva Province (8), North Central Province (2), Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (2), Ruhunu Province (1), and Wayamba Province (1) are eligible to vote at the AGM. |
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