[caption id="attachment_201040" align="alignleft" width="155"]
AR President Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai[/caption]
By Marlon Dale Ferreira
Asia Rugby (AR), ratifying its earlier decision taken on 9 April to temporarily suspend Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), announced yesterday (1 May) that it has now taken a final decision to impose a full and immediate membership suspension of the island nation from taking part in any regional events conducted by them until further notice.
This decision had been taken by the AR’s Executive Committee on Sunday (30 April) after it reviewed the report of its delegates who visited Sri Lanka between 20 to 24 April and met with all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), and the suspended SLR Executive Committee plus representatives from various clubs and the Rugby Referees’ Association.
Fresh SLR election
Whilst publishing information regarding this decision on its official website, AR also confirmed that it has sent an official letter to the Minister of Youth and Sports Thenuka Vidanagamage on Friday (29 April) informing its desire to manage, run, and conduct a fresh SLR election which shall be called upon by the NOCSL.
It further stated that it will work closely with the NOCSL and will accord observatory presence to officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Olympic Council of Asia, and World Rugby in its quest to maintain its principles of equality, transparency, and accountability.
Subramaniam speaks
[caption id="attachment_201042" align="alignleft" width="184"]
NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam[/caption]
It could be confirmed that AR, in consultation with the NOCSL, anticipates to hold the SLR Annual General Meeting (AGM) and its elections on Saturday, 28 May 2022.
Meanwhile NOCSL President Suresh Subraminam said, “We as NOCSL will always uphold the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter, where we accept and deal with only an elected body.
“Unfortunately, Asia Rugby took a decision without checking the ground reality whilst listening only to one side of the story,” stressed Subramaniam.
Namal’s decision challenged
“However, I am confused as to how can an elected body of a country can be suspended by Asia Rugby. My understanding is that this kind of issue needs to be taken up at the next AGM with a full house in attendance. However, all the parties must agree to move forward and conduct the election for the sake of establishing a better environment,” he added.
The decision to temporarily suspend SLR by former Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, by issuing a government gazette on 1 April 2022, is currently being challenged by the elected SLR President Rizly Illyas and their case will be taken up in the Court of Appeal (new building) - Court 303 on Wednesday (4 May).
Rizly Illyas’s response
[caption id="attachment_201044" align="alignleft" width="173"]
Elected SLR President Rizly Illyas[/caption]
Speaking on AR’s newest ruling, Illyas said yesterday: “This call that Asia Rugby has made only prevents SLR from taking part in any events organised by Asia Rugby in the region.
“This has absolutely no bearing at all on Sri Lanka taking part at the upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games and conducting its local tournaments. I am happy that the SLR elections will finally be held.”
AR President Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai[/caption]
By Marlon Dale Ferreira
Asia Rugby (AR), ratifying its earlier decision taken on 9 April to temporarily suspend Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), announced yesterday (1 May) that it has now taken a final decision to impose a full and immediate membership suspension of the island nation from taking part in any regional events conducted by them until further notice.
This decision had been taken by the AR’s Executive Committee on Sunday (30 April) after it reviewed the report of its delegates who visited Sri Lanka between 20 to 24 April and met with all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), and the suspended SLR Executive Committee plus representatives from various clubs and the Rugby Referees’ Association.
Fresh SLR election
Whilst publishing information regarding this decision on its official website, AR also confirmed that it has sent an official letter to the Minister of Youth and Sports Thenuka Vidanagamage on Friday (29 April) informing its desire to manage, run, and conduct a fresh SLR election which shall be called upon by the NOCSL.
It further stated that it will work closely with the NOCSL and will accord observatory presence to officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Olympic Council of Asia, and World Rugby in its quest to maintain its principles of equality, transparency, and accountability.
Subramaniam speaks
[caption id="attachment_201042" align="alignleft" width="184"] NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam[/caption]
It could be confirmed that AR, in consultation with the NOCSL, anticipates to hold the SLR Annual General Meeting (AGM) and its elections on Saturday, 28 May 2022.
Meanwhile NOCSL President Suresh Subraminam said, “We as NOCSL will always uphold the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter, where we accept and deal with only an elected body.
“Unfortunately, Asia Rugby took a decision without checking the ground reality whilst listening only to one side of the story,” stressed Subramaniam.
Namal’s decision challenged
“However, I am confused as to how can an elected body of a country can be suspended by Asia Rugby. My understanding is that this kind of issue needs to be taken up at the next AGM with a full house in attendance. However, all the parties must agree to move forward and conduct the election for the sake of establishing a better environment,” he added.
The decision to temporarily suspend SLR by former Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, by issuing a government gazette on 1 April 2022, is currently being challenged by the elected SLR President Rizly Illyas and their case will be taken up in the Court of Appeal (new building) - Court 303 on Wednesday (4 May).
Rizly Illyas’s response
[caption id="attachment_201044" align="alignleft" width="173"] Elected SLR President Rizly Illyas[/caption]
Speaking on AR’s newest ruling, Illyas said yesterday: “This call that Asia Rugby has made only prevents SLR from taking part in any events organised by Asia Rugby in the region.
“This has absolutely no bearing at all on Sri Lanka taking part at the upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games and conducting its local tournaments. I am happy that the SLR elections will finally be held.”