Ministry of Sports Director General (DG) Shemal Fernando has officially conveyed to all relevant stakeholders of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), of the indefinite postponement of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), originally scheduled for today (21).
The Daily Morning Sports, is able to break this news to its readers, via the letter issued by the DG, to the concerned stakeholders of Sri Lanka Rugby last Saturday (18), with the letter being in possession of this newspaper.
The DG, has stated that the election of office bearers, has been put off by the Sports Minister, to facilitate an inquiry into complaints received over the conduct of the AGM.
According to the Ministry of Sports DG had resorted to his actions, as per provisions contained in the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Shemal Fernando, has mentioned that written complaints had been submitted to the subject Minister, by Asia Rugby President, over original plans to press ahead with the election, without amending the SLR constitution.
Hence the DG, has emphasised that the Minister concerned, has formed a committee, to investigate the complaints forthwith and notes that till its findings are reported, the SLR AGM, will remain postponed.
Fernando, who has been serving as SLRs Competent Authority (CA), since its dissolution last May, has added that based on the findings of the committee, apt measures for rugby in this country will be taken.
He has said that this will be done in consultation with the Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe Jnr., World Rugby (WR) President Bill Beaumont, Asia Rugby (AR)President Qais Al Dhalai and all relevant stakeholders of the sport, here.
The DG has concluded his letter, by observing that these actions will align with the provisions of the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973, its subsequent amendments and related regulations, ensuring the best interests of Sri Lanka Rugby, are upheld.
The AGM of SLR was originally decided to be held at the Sports Ministry auditorium this morning, by a five-member Election Committee, which was formed to oversee it, being headed by a retired High Court Judge.
However, petitions had been received by the Election Committee, regarding the eligibility criteria of certain nominations filed to contest key posts at the AGM, which had prompted the ministry to defer its staging.
It was also reported exclusively by The Sunday Morning Sports, on Sunday (19) that the Asia Rugby (AR) President, had officially written to the Sports Minister, in this connection.
This was over possible far-reaching consequences to Sri Lanka, if the AGM were to be held without amending the SLR constitution.
The amendments sought by World Rugby – the game’s global ruling body and Asia Rugby-the sport’s regional controlling body, include granting voting powers to all active clubs within SLR, including those competing in the ‘A’ Division.
This is as opposed to defunct provincial clubs, which are also referred to as paper clubs, which allegedly possess undue influence at such elections.
The major protagonists involved in the local rugby upheaval, including the Sports Ministry DG and provincial unions, had brokered an agreement before the Court of Appeal only last December, but teething issues had persisted throughout.
This was following seven months of legal wrangling, to put the local rugby house in order, after seven provincial unions had taken the DG to Court.
This was over what they (Provincial Unions) perceived to be the DGs alleged move, to amend the SLR constitution, disregarding stakeholder concerns.
Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando had dissolved the SLR on 29 May 2024 over its failure to hold its AGM, before the annual deadline 31 May.
Subsequently its operations were transferred to a Competent Authority, through a Special Gazette Notification.