Minister Harin’s new gazette promotes good governance in sports bodies’ AGMs: ex-SLR Chief Illyas

Minister of Sports Harin Fernando

Sri Lanka Rugby former President Rizly Illyas

Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) former President Rizly Illyas yesterday welcomed Minister of Sports Harin Fernando’s new Extraordinary Gazette notification saying it promotes good governance in sports bodies’ Annual General Meetings.

Minister Fernando issued Extraordinary Gazette suspending the registration of the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation, as well as Sri Lanka Cycling Federation, Sri Lanka Automobile Federation, and Sri Lanka Netball Federation. 

Amid the ongoing turmoil within Sri Lanka Rugby, the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) sent a reminder to SLR on 20 March emphasising the need to notify all members about the AGM as required by the constitution. 

As there was no response from SLR, the WPRFU subsequently escalated the matter by sending a legal notice through their legal team to SLR on 29 April, highlighting constitutional violations and warning of further legal action if the issues were not addressed.  

Minister Harin Fernando had to place the SLR AGM under the supervision of the Director General of the Ministry of Sports to ensure that rugby in Sri Lanka continues without interruption.  

Illyas stepped down from his position after securing commitments from the Ministry of Sports under the previous Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, as well as from World Rugby and Asia Rugby, to lift all suspensions on SLR. Illyas is considered perhaps the only SLR President to resign for the greater good of the sport.

Previous Ministers Namal Rajapaksa and Roshan Ranasinghe, who followed in Rajapaksa’s footsteps, have been criticised for destabilising rugby instead of supporting its progress. Their actions set the sport back 10 to 20 years. In contrast, current Minister Harin Fernando rightly stated that Sri Lanka, with its 144-year history in rugby, should be among the top three rugby-playing nations in Asia.  

Following are responses by Illyas to posers from the Daily FT Sports.

Q: Why do you say Minister Harin Fernando has brought in good governance?

 Over the past few months, provincial unions have observed multiple violations of the SLR constitution taking place under the current Deputy President, Nalin De Silva. In response, they sought legal advice, sent notices to SLR, and communicated their concerns to the Minister and the Director-General. With the united efforts of all provincial unions, I am confident that the Minister will recognise the need to intervene and follow proper procedures, which is the best way forward.

Q: With the AGM now open, do you see any candidates for the presidency who could lead SLR forward?

For the betterment of rugby, everyone must unite and support the team that presents the best manifesto. We must also be mindful of the debt and fines accrued over the past 10 years. Moving forward, any candidate should address these liabilities, which were deliberately created to discourage others from stepping in. New legislation by the provincial unions should be introduced to prevent these individuals from filing nominations or representing SLR until the matter is resolved. The Sports Ministry should conduct an inquiry into this issue and suspend all those held responsible until the inquiry is over.