Provincial Unions overrule SLR CA’s meeting over ‘sub-judice’
Roshan Deen of WPRFU has clearly stated in his letter to the Competent Authority that meetings will not be a possibility until judicial hearings are over
Despite the ultimatum issued by World Rugby (WR) on Valentine’s Day to Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), demanding that Sri Lanka implement a restructured governance framework, approve a new constitution, and conduct the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or elections by June 15, a firm resolution remains out of reach given the current local developments.
It has now come to light that the Competent Authority (CA) of SLR, Shemal Fernando, who is also the Director General of Sports (DG), had summoned SLR’s membership, including the Provincial Unions, for a meeting on Thursday at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. However, this meeting failed to materialize as the matter is now under judicial review.
“With reference to your letter dated February 20, please be informed that we will not be able to present ourselves at this meeting as this matter is sub judice by virtue of Court of Appeal Case No. CA/WRT/0438/24 and the decision therein on December 5, 2024, whereby the Provincial Unions, stakeholders, and the Competent Authority of SLR were in agreement to conduct the Annual General Meeting of Sri Lanka Rugby,” stated a detailed letter signed by the President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU), Roshan Deen.
After months of legal disputes among factions, the long-overdue AGM was finally scheduled to take place following a Court of Appeal verdict in early December, mandating that elections be held on or before January 31.
Director General of Sports, as well as Competent Authority of SLR -- Shemal Fernando
With ample time to prepare, the SLR CA—who is also the DG—held a Special General Meeting (SGM) to elect an Election Committee by December 20, 2024. The election process was set in motion, with nominations invited and objections entertained, leading up to the AGM on January 21, after WR issued a strict ultimatum to conduct the AGM before January 31 or face the consequences of a potential suspension.
“However, the DG issued a letter dated January 18, 2025, postponing the SLR AGM based on an objection received from the President of Asia Rugby regarding the SLR AGM scheduled for January 8, 2025. This letter contravenes the SLR Constitution, which states that any objection to be considered should come only from an affiliated member of SLR and not from any third party,” the WPRFU letter noted.
The WR ultimatum was issued on February 14 after Roshan Deen of WPRFU—one of the seven Provincial Unions that had earlier petitioned the Court of Appeal against the CA’s decision to hold the AGM following SLR’s suspension—filed a fresh case against the DG for Contempt of Court. The move came after the Court of Appeal had directed that the AGM be held under proper constitutional norms. The amendment of the SLR Constitution has been the central issue delaying the AGM.
Though five Provincial Unions stood by their decision not to meet the SLR CA due to the ongoing legal review, three bodies—North Western, North Central, and Southern—attended the meeting, unaware that it had been called off. However, the CA ignored the representatives of these three Provincial Unions, citing other engagements, without showing any courtesy. Those present viewed this as an indication that the ongoing crisis at SLR is unlikely to reach a positive resolution, given that responsible officials are showing little interest in resolving the issues.