DG of Sports responds to accusations on SL Rugby constitution

• Claims Ministry of Sports isn’t responsible nor will get involved in the passage of new constitution or electing office bearers other than as facilitator

Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando yesterday issued a statement in response to accusations on Sri Lanka Rugby published in the media including the Daily FT.

I refer to the various articles published with regard to the matters containing the amendments to the Sri Lanka Rugby constitution.

The chronological events pertaining to the same are as follows;

On 17 April 2022, a ban was imposed on Sri Lanka Rugby by Asia Rugby. On 20 April 2022, an initial Court Case was filed by Sri Lanka Rugby in the Court of Appeal.

On 21 April 2023, another Court Case was filed by Sri Lanka Rugby in the Court of Appeal. On 17 May 2023, a ban was imposed on Sri Lanka Rugby by World Rugby. On 4 July 2023, discussions commenced with World Rugby and the then Minister of Sports.

On 10 October 2023, World Rugby Chief International Relations and Participation Officer David Carrigy informed that the Constitutional Review Group (CRG) shall be chaired by World Rugby and deputised by Asia Rugby with members from main stakeholders as per the said discussions. Accordingly, I was appointed as a member representing the Ministry of Sports by the then Minister of Sports.

World Rugby lifted the ban on 7 November 2023. Thereafter, on 9 April, the CRG sent the draft Constitution to SLR. The same has been sent to the Attorney General for approval.

Since SLR could not have their AGM on or before 31 May, Gazette No 2386/08 dated 29 May was issued appointing me as the competent authority to carry out the election process.

As agreed by parties and stakeholders of SLR, the draft constitution is to be presented at an SGM after giving notice under the current SLR constitution. The stakeholders at the said SGM will act in terms of their rights under the Constitutional provisions.

At no point the Ministry of Sports is responsible or will get involved in the said process other than as a facilitator. After the SGM, an Annual General Meeting will be held for the election of office bearers in terms of the provisions of the Constitution as per the resolution of SGM.

Hence, it is baseless to state that the Minister or the Ministry of Sports is involved in the amendments to the constitution or the process of electing office bearers other than the involvement of the Ministry of Sports merely as the facilitator for those events.