Court issues Interim Order preventing sports authorities from interfering in Sri Lanka Rugby

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an Interim Order preventing sports authorities from interfering with the administration of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).

The Court of Appeal bench comprising Justice Nissanka Karunaratne and Justice M A R Marikkar made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by SLR and its Chairman Rizly Illyas. 

The petitioners SLR, SLR President, Rizly Illyas and seven other office bearers of SLR filed this petition challenging the legality of the Gazette notification dated 11 April issued by Sports Minister which suspends the activities of SLR and its President.

However, the Court granted an interim order pleaded by the petitioners under prayer (d) of the petition- an interim order restraining the Sports Minister, Ministry Secretary and Acting Director General Department of Sports Development and their agents from interfering with the administration and other affairs of the SLR.

 Statement from Asia Rugby

Asia Rugby (AR) led by its principles of transparency and accountability appointed an Appeal Panel in March 2023 to address the appeal of suspended Sri Lanka Rugby President, Rizly Illyas.

The SLR President was found guilty on charges of breaching the AR Code of Conduct by the AR Executive Committee based on a thorough investigation by a Judicial Officer.

 He was given the opportunity to appeal, and the appointed Appeal Panel chaired by the Kazakhstan Rugby President Aigul Jartybayeva with the membership of Jeffry Chang the President of Taipei Rugby Football Union and David Boyton, Judicial Officer from Hong Kong dismissed the appeal after comprehensive evaluation.

His expulsion from AR Council will be binding until the end of the current AR Council term.