Ousted SLR chief Ilyas to challenge suspension?
No more smiles for SLR officials
The legal team of ousted President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Rizly Ilyas is likely to seek legal action against the directive issued by the Minister of Sports, Roshan Ranasinghe on December 8, 2022. The document signed duly by the Minister of Sports, bearing the reference MOYS/LAW/01/282, states that Ilyas’ eligibility to hold office at SLR is questionable after the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) issued a suspension order on June 22, 2022.
“According to the S 31 and S 41 of the Sports Act of 1973 No.25, the Special Gazette Notification Order No. 1990/23 issued by the Sports Minister on October 27, 2016, and its contents of Phase II of the Constitutions of National Sports Associations No. 5 (4) an individual cannot hold office or contest an election if he or she is serving a suspension by a national sports governing body or a competent authority or an affiliation of the governing body until two years from the date of the commencement of the suspension,” the Sports Ministry letter, addressed to SLR Secretary/Executive Director states.
However certain quarters of the rugby fraternity question the morality of the suspension, which came suddenly after six months, and after Ilyas was cleared to contest at the last held election of SLR to be re-elected as its President for another term. They suspect this sudden suspension, even after Ilyas was cleared to contest after a comprehensive inquiry and the pending inquiry by ARFU, is an act of sabotage sparked by underhand influence within the fraternity.
Ilyas, when inquired by the Sunday Times, responded to the development saying he respects the directive issued by the Sports Minister, but was reserved about his actions to follow. He did not indicate of any interest to seek legal immunity, but his close allies are said to gather force to challenge the matter legally.
The letter of the Sports Minister further states that ‘until the inquiry by ARFU is completed and for the benefit of players engaged in rugby, it is recommended that Mr. Rizly Ilyas should be suspended from holding positions and engaging in any activity related to Sri Lanka Rugby’.
The Sports Minister had issued the directive after seeking opinion from the Attorney General’s Office and the recommendation states that the Minister of Sports has ‘no legal impediment as empowered by law to issue a special direction in respect of Mr. Ilyas’. Within a day from receiving the letter, SLR responded to the Ministry of Sports officially seeking for clarity.
“We are advised that the said section allow the Minister in charge of sports to make general or special directions in writing to the Councils, Committees, Associations and other bodies established or registered under the Sports Law, as to the exercise, discharge and performance of their powers, functions and duties, and such Councils, Committees, Associations and other bodies shall give effect to such directions.”
“We are also advised that the Minister in charge of sports have not being vested with the power to suspend an individual member of an Association in as much as no such power has been (sic) vested with the Minister by the Sports Law Act 1972 as amended. The said purported letter dated 08th December 2022 was issued without consulting Sri Lanka Rugby and therefore Sri Lanka Rugby was not privy to the content and other circumstances mention therein. Therefore at this point of time Sri Lanka Rugby cannot comment on the said matters mentioned in the said letter,” the latter signed by SLR Secretary SSP Nizam Jamaldeen stated.
It is unclear what the true motive of the sudden directive order, as Ilyas’ suspension by ARFU is yet to be inquired and from the local perspective he has been previously cleared to hold office after a proper inquiry. Legal experts question the manner the directive was issued, stating it was totally a ‘one sided’ affair and the Ministry of Sports should have issued the suspension on Ilyas after conducting a proper inquiry.
Though Ilyas does not wish to seek legal support, it is clearly indicated that legal experts are gathering more insights of the issue to take the matter to the courts and get a clear verdict, if the Ministry of Sports fail to provide a proper explanation. In place of Ilyas’ SLR’s Deputy President, Group Captain (rtd) Nalin de Silva has been elevated as the Acting President, until matters are sorted out.