Controversial appointment: Former Sri Lanka Rugby President (elect) named Rugby Development Facilitator

In a surprising move, Minister of Sports Harin Fernando has appointed Group Captain (Rtd) Nalin De Silva, the immediate Past President – elect of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), as the new point of contact and facilitator for rugby development in Sri Lanka. 

This decision has raised many eyebrows among rugby enthusiasts, given De Silva’s controversial past with SLR.

Group Captain (Rtd) De Silva and his entire SLR Executive Committee were dissolved by Minister Fernando due to the organisation’s failure to adhere to its constitution and properly conduct its Annual General Meeting (AGM). Additionally, World Rugby had instructed SLR to implement specific clauses in its constitution to allow A Division Clubs the right to vote. However, De Silva struggled to gain the necessary support from the SLR Council, composed of Provincial Unions, which resisted the constitutional changes. Consequently, the AGM could not be held.

Minister Fernando’s appointment of De Silva has sparked public debate regarding the ethics of this decision. Critics argue that De Silva’s acceptance of the role is reminiscent of politicians switching allegiances opportunistically. 

Furthermore, De Silva’s tenure as SLR Secretary was marred by allegations of providing Fijians with Sri Lankan passports in violation of the Immigration and Emigration Act in 2014. World Rugby found SLR guilty and imposed a hefty £ 50,000 fine, which the organisation could not pay, resulting in annual deductions from their Rugby Development funds.

Despite these controversies, the Ministry of Sports has officially named Group Captain Nalin De Silva (Rtd) as the new point of contact and facilitator for rugby development in Sri Lanka, as per the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2386/08 dated 29 May 2024. De Silva is to oversee rugby development, liaise with World Rugby and Asia Rugby, and coordinate the Constitutional Review Group (CRG). He will work closely with the Sports Director General Professor Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando.

The rugby community remains divided on whether this appointment is ethical or simply a strategic manoeuvre by Minister Fernando, echoing previous political tactics.