Legal barriers lifted: Will SLR AGM proceed?
Initially, the SLR was prepared to proceed with its election process after its Competent Authority (CA), Shemal Fernando, who is also the Director General of Sports, called for nominations in advance of the AGM originally scheduled for January 21. This action followed a strict ultimatum from World Rugby (WR) to conduct the AGM before January 31 or risk facing possible suspension.
Former SLR officials turned backbenchers, take centrestage as they seize the limelight of the initiative made by Inthi Marikar (2nd left)
Lasitha Gunaratne, the former SLR President and Vice President, whose nomination was rejected, took the matter to the Colombo District Court, claiming wrongful rejection. Consequently, the District Judge issued an enjoining order that indefinitely halted the SLR AGM, further complicating the situation.
However, it was revealed earlier this week that Gunaratne, along with the seven Provincial Unions critical of SLR’s prolonged dysfunction, reached an agreement aimed at restoring order. The SLR CA, who has held the position since May 2024, must now proceed with the overdue AGM in accordance with the required procedures.
Over the past ten months, the situation has spiraled into multiple court cases, each setting different timelines for the SLR AGM, while Sri Lanka faced multiple sanctions. Currently, SLR is at risk of global suspension after WR issued an ultimatum requiring Sri Lanka to implement a restructured governance framework, approve a new constitution, and conduct the AGM or elections by June 15.
Various issues have plagued SLR since May 31, 2024, delaying the formation of a duly elected executive committee. Many in the rugby community view the CA as a significant obstacle. This perception appears justified, given the CA’s lack of urgency to resolve the situation. Additionally, Fernando manages three other sports bodies—netball, cycling, and motorsports—but rugby, being one of the most financially significant sports in the country next to cricket and football, may have drawn his interest away.
Towards the end of the week, a historic event was launched at a leading hotel in Colombo, with invitations issued by the Minister of Sports and the CA of SLR. While the Minister attended the event, the CA, representing Sri Lanka rugby, was notably absent.
The event also featured a former SLR President who currently chairs Asia Rugby’s High-Performance Training and Competitions Committee, alongside the Chairman of the National Sports Council and the last Deputy President of SLR, who was appointed as the point of contact to the CA and WR. These three individuals have previously contributed to SLR facing a hefty fine of 50,000 Sterling Pounds for breaching WR Regulation 8.1 by fielding three Fijian players with forged documents. The SLR officials involved at the time included Asanga Seneviratne (President), Nalin de Silva (Secretary), Lasitha Gunaratne (Vice President), Rohan Gunaratne (Executive Director), and Priyantha Ekanayake (CEO), who communicated with WR officials before ultimately admitting to the offence in 2016.
At the event, some local officials spoke proudly of the historic achievement, despite their ethical standing being questionable, particularly when sharing the podium with former national player and coach Inthi Marikkar, who rightfully deserves the recognition. The CA of SLR, absent from this significant event, is also scheduled to appear in the Court of Appeal for contempt at the end of this month. The CA was ordered to appear physically after not attending the first contempt hearing, where the court mandated that SLR hold elections as directed by WR, excluding the Director General of Sports’s involvement. This cycle has persisted for the past 11 months, and this latest development is not surprising. The pressing question remains: can this cycle finally come to an end?