World Rugby to investigate SLR

By Shamseer Jaleel

World Rugby (WR) has informed the Sports Ministry that it would investigate SLR in July 2023.

The move follows Sports Ministry taking some stern decisions in the last few months, impacting rugby negatively.

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) was officially suspended by World Rugby (WR) on 11 May after which the Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe wrote a letter to the WR in order to clear doubts.

In response to that the WR has now said that investigation will begin in collaboration with Asia Rugby (AR).

“Whilst recognising Sri Lanka as a sovereign nation with its own domestic legal framework, in order to reach an outcome which ensures compliance with the World Rugby Bye-Laws, World Rugby must gain further insight into the issues surrounding Sri Lanka Rugby’s governance. As such, World Rugby will be conducting a full review of these matters and will be liaising with Asia Rugby as to the most appropriate way to conduct this exercise. 

“This will no doubt require World Rugby to engage with the parties closest to the material issues. It is also our intention to engage with the Ministry as part of this review process and are most grateful to you for your offer of a meeting to review these matters further. We hope to be in a position to visit Sri Lanka (with Asia Rugby) in early July and will liaise with your office to confirm a suitable meeting time,” WR informed the Ministry via letter.