Sri Lanka Rugby foxed by their suspension

Commonwealth Rugby Sevens participation at stake

By Shamseer Jaleel

In a sudden move, the Ministry of Sports has suspended Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) through a Gazette notification issued on 1 April. This will deprive the governing body from hosting any matches but permission was given to complete the two remaining matches in the Cup and Plate segments to decide the winners of these events.

This means this month’s Inter-Club Sevens and century-plus old Clifford Cup knockout rugby tournaments are in doubt. Further, the worst matter is that the Sri Lanka rugby outfit will not be permitted to participate at the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens in Birmingham, England where Sri Lanka has been a member from the inception in 1998 when it took place in Malaysia. 

The closing date for the rugby squad to be submitted is 30 April. As time is running out the players are likely to lose the opportunity to represent their country at this event.

The Gazette Notification issued on 1 April by Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, the document with reference number EOG 04 – 0008, states that the Minister has “temporarily suspended the registration of National Sports Association for Sri Lanka Rugby Association and appointed Amal Edirisooriya, Director General of the Department of Sports Development, as the competent authority with effect from April 1 in respect of administrative and other required proceedings and, to call for and hold the relevant elections as well as to perform the activities of the said national sports association until then as the temporary procedure”.

But the Gazette notification does not clarify as to why or on what grounds the so-called ‘temporary suspension’ comes to effect, other than the ‘powers vested in Namal Rajapaksa, the Minister of Youth and Sports, under Section 32 (b) and 33 of Sports Act. No. 25 of 1973’ and its amendments.

The SLR, headed by Rizly Ilyas who went through a tough time without much support from all corners, propped up with Nippon Paint only one month back for a handsome sponsorship package. 

Edirisooriya said:, “SLR has held Council Meetings with three suspended provincial bodies of theirs. The three said provincial unions were barred when SLR held its last elections, and we learn that SLR have entertained these three bodies for Council Meetings. The suspension comes on that ground.” Last weekend’s games between CR and Navy plus Kandy SC vs CH were postponed. In fact, Kandy’s game was originally scheduled to take place at the Race Course and was shifted to Welisara, then postponed to a later date. At the time of this announcement, the Kandy outfit was already in Colombo, incurring another Rs. 750,000 cost for their team travel and hotel accommodation when clubs are in a difficult situation to survive.