World Rugby suspends Sri Lanka Rugby membership

In response to concerns about the governance of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) and breach of the World Rugby (WR) Bye-Laws relating to political interference, the World Rugby Council has suspended SLR from WR membership with immediate effect.

The World Rugby Council and Asia Rugby agreed that the international federation and regional association would work together with all stakeholders to ensure the least possible disruption of rugby in Sri Lanka.

The immediate priority is to work with all of the relevant stakeholders to resolve the governance issues. A resolution of these issues will enable Sri Lankan players and officials to participate in upcoming matches and tournaments conducted by Asia Rugby.

nd Asia Rugby will urgently work with all stakeholders to put in place a programme of meetings to be held in Sri Lanka to hopefully resolve the current issues.

The following is the full text.

The World Rugby (WR) Council at its 11 May 2023 meeting considered the ongoing membership of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR). The WR Council were advised that the Sri Lanka Sports Ministry had reinstated SLR as a sports federation in Sri Lanka under the temporary operational control of a government appointed Stabilisation Committee. This is contrary to the WR Bye-Laws.

The WR Council, having noted the recommendation of the WR Executive Board acting in accordance with the WR Bye Laws agreed that the SLR is suspended from WR Membership with immediate effect due to a breach of the WR Bye-Laws relating to political interference.The WR Council agreed that WR and Asia Rugby (AR) would work together with all stakeholders to ensure the least possible disruption of rugby in Sri Lanka. The immediate priority of WR and ARis to work with all of the relevant stakeholders in Sri Lanka to resolve the ongoing governance issues. A resolution of these issues will enable Sri Lanka players and officials to participate in upcoming matches and tournaments in Asia.

WR and AR will urgently work with all stakeholders to put in place a programme of meetings to be held in Sri Lanka and hopefully resolve the current impasses and we will contact the Union in due course to make arrangements for these meetings.I can confirm that whilst suspended from WR membership SLR may not participate in any rugby activities outside Sri Lanka.

The letter was dated 17 May 2023 signed by Chief International Relations and Participation Officer David Carrigy and addressed to SLR Executive Director Hassan Sinhawansa,.

( SJ)