SLR suspension to be revoked

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Gazette issued by former Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa against Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) on 1 April will be revoked once the new Sports Minister is appointed in the near future. This was the outcome of the case at the courts in Colombo yesterday.

Yesterday, the SLR’s writ application was taken up for support. The petition’s lawyers were Faisz Musthapha PC, Panduka Keerthinanda AAL and Keerthi Thilakaratne AAL instructed by Sanjaya Kaluarachchi AAL. On behalf of Respondents Attorney General’s Department ASG Sumathi Dharmawardana PC appeared.  

It was stated that the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) needs to appeal before the new Sports Minister with regards to their voting rights, in order to get their voting rights for upcoming SLRFU election. 

Next hearing will take place on 30 June.

Speaking to Daily FT, Sri Lanka Rugby President Rizly Ilyas said: “Today was a great victory for Sri Lanka Sports and specially for Sri Lanka Rugby. We assume that in future there won’t be unlawful political interference to sports federations. We are moving forward to develop SLR. Also, we do not hold any grudges against anyone. We have come before judiciary to fight against unlawful suspension of SLR.”