In a significant shake-up to the administration of Sri Lanka Rugby, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has suspended the organisation’s registration with immediate effect, citing provisions under the Sports Law.
The move, formalised through a Gazette notification, also revokes the recent appointment of Prof. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando as the Competent Authority.
The decision, issued under Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, marks a decisive intervention by the Ministry of Sports amid ongoing efforts to reform the governance structure of the national rugby body.
In place of the outgoing authority, Minister Gamage has appointed a five-member Working Task Force tasked with implementing the newly revised Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby.
The document, drafted by a Constitutional Review Group established by World Rugby and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders, aims to bring the sport’s administration in line with international standards and best practices.
The members of the Task Force include Priyantha Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Sports Council, who will serve as Task Force Chairman; Suresh Subramaniam, President of the National Olympic Committee; retired Senior DIG M. R. Latiff; President’s Counsel Dinal Phillips; and Rohan Abayakoon, also of the National Sports Council.
According to the Gazette, the Task Force will have full administrative control over Sri Lanka Rugby’s operations during the interim period.
One of their key responsibilities will be to facilitate a fresh election to appoint new office bearers, which is expected to take place within 90 days of the new Constitution’s formal adoption.
Leave a comment