Sri Lanka Rugby: Sports Ministry faces backlash over abrupt cancellation of SGM

By A Special Correspondent

It appears blatantly clear that the Sports Ministry’s scheduling of a Special General Meeting with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) officials was solely to push through amendments to its constitution. 

The agenda, which included other items for discussion, also included ‘changes to the constitution’. 

However, with just 81 minutes remaining before the SGM was set to commence, and some attendees already present, the Director General Rear Admiral Prof. Shemal Fernando abruptly sent an email announcing that the SGM would not be held.

A last-minute cancellation

The email sent to all and sundry, even to those who are not supposed to attend the meeting, cited an order from the Court of Appeal which read: “Due to an order issued by the Court of Appeal, the SGM scheduled for 4:30 p.m. will not be held today, 15 July 2024.”

This abrupt cancellation has been seen as a blatant disregard for the stakeholders who were either present or en route to the meeting, reflecting poorly on the Ministry’s respect for due process and proper governance.

Provincial Rugby Unions’ rightful stance

The Provincial Rugby Unions, who are members of SLR, are the rightful guardians of the SLR constitution. They had previously filed a writ application and obtained a stay order from the 

Court of Appeal to have just the item on the agenda – ‘constitution changes’ – not be brought up at the SGM.

It must be reiterated that at no point did the Provincial Rugby Unions object to conducting the SGM as their intention too was to proceed with the SGM, discuss all other matters, and ensure that the subsequent AGM would be conducted after Sports Minister Harin Fernando suspended SLR and brought it under his Ministry and handed the reins to Director General Prof. Fernando.

Any Sri Lanka Rugby follower could now see that Minister Harin Fernando, whilst using his appointed DG Prof. Fernando, was simply towing the line with the ‘A’ Division Clubs to have the SLR constitution amended which would increase their powers whilst clipping the wings of the Provincial Unions.

Minister Fernando should be very cautious as to how he chooses to tread these waters, as the Sports Ministry has no mandate to amend the SLR constitution even though World Rugby, along with Asia Rugby, has virtually bullied SLR into doing so.

He ought to be reminded once again that he does not have the power or authority to bulldoze his way and amend the SLR constitution. The Provincial Rugby Unions have time and again stated that they are willing to make any changes to the SLR constitution for the greater good of the game, but the proper protocols need to be adhered to.

This now could be perceived as pure political victimisation and one that could even lead to the International Olympic Committee, through its member the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, suspending Sri Lanka for political interference.

It is rather shameful that DG Prof. Fernando’s incompetence in this role has been exposed.

Firstly, he blindly sends an email to several people not knowing that the meeting should be attended only by SLR members such as Provincial Rugby Unions, the Universities, the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, and the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees (no vote). However, the email list contains people associated with clubs too, and it was obvious when a Kandy SC official Ashan Ratwatte also turned up at the venue.

Political interference and mismanagement

As the days unfold, it’s becoming more and more evident that Minister Harin Fernando is towing the line of Asia Rugby and World Rugby when he should, as the Sports Minister, be looking after the interests of a sports association such as SLR, which has a rich history spanning over 140 years and also comes under his purview.

Minister Fernando ought to be reminded that any further delay in holding the subsequent SLR AGM – and any other suspension that could befall SLR – would be upon his very own Sports Ministry, who are exposing themselves more and more as the days unfold.

This incident has shed light on the underlying tensions and the perceived political manoeuvring by Minister Harin Fernando. The Minister’s actions, perceived as aligning with the interests of ‘A’ Division Clubs and succumbing to external pressures from World Rugby and Asia Rugby, have raised serious concerns. 

His attempt to amend the SLR constitution without following a thorough, inclusive process has been criticised as overstepping his authority.

A warning to the Ministry of Sports

The Sports Ministry must tread carefully as any further delay in holding the SLR AGM or additional suspensions could lead to severe consequences, including potential sanctions from the International Olympic Committee for political interference. The current situation reflects poorly on DG Prof. Fernando’s competence in this instance.

Historical context and internal failures

What many are unaware of is that a fair share of the blame lies with former Executive Director and former Deputy President Group Captain  Nalin De Silva, who kept the SLR Council in the dark about World Rugby’s demands. 

Their failure to conduct the AGM within the stipulated time frame – despite receiving official reminders from the Western Province Rugby Football Union – led to Minister Harin Fernando suspending SLR and bringing it under the control of DG Prof. Fernando. 

Thereafter, the swift crossover of the very same SLR Deputy President to a post within the Sports Ministry further suggests orchestrated political manoeuvring.

Sports Minister Harin Fernando on record

Minister Harin Fernando has been on record publicly criticising the provincial system, failing to recognise its successful implementation since the 1990s under the recommendation of New Zealander Jeff Matheson. 

This system, which made Provincial Unions members of SLR, has seen over 15 presidents, including prominent former SLR Presidents, who are now pushing for changes to regain influence through ‘A’ Division Clubs.

World Rugby’s questionable involvement

World Rugby and Asia Rugby officials, David Carrigy and Qais Abdallah Al-Dhalai respectively, should refrain from exerting undue interference on SLR or even on Minister Harin Fernando.

Their roles should be to support, not to coerce constitutional changes and finally lace it with a threat if not adhered to.

Notably, World Rugby in the past imposed a hefty fine of GBP 50,000 on SLR during Asanga Seneviratne’s presidency, eventually deducting it from the rugby development fund. This punitive measure continues to impact SLR’s development efforts even today and these are more pressing issues that World Rugby ought to be helping out its member country and rather bringing those responsible to book for bringing discredit to the sport. It is apparent that World Rugby’s representative Carrigy’s involvement in this entire fracas is certainly outside his regular scope of work. 

Minister Harin Fernando must also be reminded that any further delay in holding the SLR AGM or additional suspensions would be on his Sports Ministry. The Provincial Unions are willing to make necessary constitutional changes for the greater good of the game but insist on following proper protocols. The integrity of Sri Lankan rugby must be preserved through transparent and democratic processes, free from political interference.

All stakeholders of this magnificent sport, including over one million of Sri Lanka’s ardent rugby fans deserve better governance, free from political victimisation.