Political interference and Asia Rugby’s double standards

By a special correspondent

Asia Rugby’s blatant double standard in inviting teams from Sri Lanka to participate in a Rugby Sevens event in Nepal through the Ministry of Sports has uncovered a web of individuals working covertly to seize control of SLR, exposing the extent of their involvement. 

It was barely in 2021, that Asia Rugby, led by President Qais Abdallah Al Dhalai, played a significant role in having SLR suspended and subsequently excluding the Sri Lanka Rugby team from participating in the Asia Rugby Sevens events in Thailand, China, and the UAE.

However, due to the intervention of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Asia Rugby was eventually forced to allow Sri Lanka to compete in the final two legs in China and the UAE under the IOC flag. This decision, which stripped Sri Lanka of its right to compete under its national flag, remains one of the most disheartening actions taken by an international sports body ever against the country. 

Sri Lanka Rugby is currently suspended following a gazette notification issued by former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando. He appointed Ministry of Sports Director General Dr. Shemal Fernando, to oversee SLR’s affairs and provided him with specific instructions to manage the situation. 

What is even more concerning now is the stance taken by Sri Lanka’s current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has assumed control of sports after his appointed Minister of Sports was stripped of his Member of Parliament status and all portfolios held by him, by the Supreme Court last month. Despite the court’s ruling, President Wickremesinghe has found a way to reinstate Harin Fernando, the ousted Minister of Sports, by appointing him as one of his advisors. Harin Fernando has now directed DG Shemal Fernando to proceed with sending two teams, an Under-18 youth team and a National Men’s Team to participate in the invited event in Nepal. 

This sets a dangerous precedent, as political interference in sports is highly frowned upon by both World Rugby and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka. If such bullying and the hijacking of sports bodies are allowed to continue, it sends a clear message that politicians and their Government-appointed officials can take control of any sports association at will.

The pressing question remains: Why is Asia Rugby applying double standards and enabling further political victimisation of SLR? 

Qais Al Dhalai’s actions come as no surprise, considering his past attempts alongside his appointed (not elected) Asia Rugby Chairman of the Tournament Committee Asanga Seneviratne, and former Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa to hijack SLR, a plan that ultimately failed. This latest move appears to be another strategy by Asia Rugby, in collaboration with Government politicians like Harin Fernando, who demonstrate a complete disregard for accountability, transparency, and respect toward SLR and its officials. 

The situation takes an even more dramatic turn with the involvement of former SLR Council members, including the immediate past Vice President of SLR Udaya Hettiarachchi, along with Rohan Abeykoon, Shane Dullewa, and Kamal Mahendra. These individuals, who were responsible for SLR’s current suspension due to their failure to hold the Annual General Meeting within the required timeframe, have now been invited by Director General Shemal Fernando to oversee training and select the teams that will represent Sri Lanka at the Asia Rugby Sevens Tournament in Nepal. 

Just as Harin Fernando was ousted as a Minister but later reinstated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as an Advisor, the failed SLR Council members, who played a key role in SLR’s suspension, have also been brought back by the Director General to serve as committee members in this matter. 

This entire situation is a disgrace.

Sports in the country have hit an all-time low. For instance, cricket is poorly ranked in all three formats, and five other sports associations remain suspended by Harin Fernando. The state of sports in Sri Lanka is starkly reflected by the fact that only four athletes (plus two wild cards) qualified for the Olympic Games, despite the country having a population of 22 million and competing in 35 Olympic sports. Doesn’t that paint a bleak picture as to how the affairs are currently being run in the country?

Recently, Harin Fernando organised a grand three-day sports fiesta, seemingly to please the Colombo elite, using funds that could have been better spent promoting sports in rural areas. Additionally, Harin brought in Dilroy Fernando, who had been banned in 2014 by then-Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage from holding any official position in Sri Lanka Rugby due to violating the country’s sports law with his business dealings. Despite this ban, Dilroy played a major role in the event, catering to the Colombo elite. Following this extravagant spending, the Ministry of Sports quickly ran out of funds and had to borrow Rs. 30 million from the President’s fund to send the Sri Lanka Under-20 athletes to Peru for the World Youth Games.

Meanwhile, we reached out to the heads of the Provincial Unions for their opinions, and they expressed that, as stakeholders, they don’t want to stoop to the level exhibited by Asia Rugby and the Ministry of Sports. The matter is already in court, with the DG being directed to hold the AGM. However, they are concerned that the DG, along with the appointed Advisor, is trying to side-line the Provincial Unions and SLR by showing that their involvement in running SLR isn’t necessary. This situation serves as a warning to Provincial Unions not to push for constitutional amendments in alignment with World Rugby and ‘A’ Division clubs.

They also raised concerns about what further damage could be done to all sports unions if Ranil Wickramasinghe is elected as President.

The Provincial Union heads believe that the political system needs change, as the current and previous Government Ministers and officials seem to allow hooliganism and other sports-related issues to continue unchecked.

The Provincial Unions are now considering seeking legal advice regarding the failure of officials, including the DG and Secretary of the Sports Ministry, to carry out their duties as directed by the courts.