The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, comprising Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe, Janak De Silva, and Sobhitha Rajakaruna, on Friday (3) dismissed an appeal that challenged an earlier judgment delivered by Justices Mohamed Laffar and Priyantha Fernando.

The appeal was filed by Roshan Deen, Kavinda Jayasena, Denzil Darling, Shamendran Devadasan, Velathage Jayanetti, Chandrakantha Mahendranathan, and Lakmal Jayawardena under SC/438/2025. 

This was stated in a press release by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Executive Director Chula Ariyaratne, who noted that this unanimous decision marked a critical milestone in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the governance, reform, and future of rugby in Sri Lanka.

Pointing to key case developments, the release noted that the petitioners had filed fresh notices seeking to halt the SLR Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Wednesday (8), even though the original motion in CA/WRT/438/2024 did not include such a request. 

It also said that respondents had not been informed of this new motion, calling it a clear underhand attempt to derail the AGM and disrupt the sport’s democratic process.

According to the release, in its detailed judgment in Writ Petition CA/WRT/438/2024, the Court of Appeal justices highlighted the strategic importance of rugby’s development and Sri Lanka’s growing role in the global arena. 

The justices have reportedly noted: “It is pertinent to observe that while Sri Lanka may not yet rival global rugby giants such as the All Blacks or Springboks, the nation’s rugby programme stands at a critical juncture of its growth and development. 

“The court notes the fact that rugby is a sport gaining increasing momentum and public interest within the country, especially with particular interest in the schools rugby arena, and this period presents a significant opportunity for Sri Lanka to further integrate into the international rugby community.”

The Court of Appeal further underscored the national interest and urgency of amending the SLR Constitution to avoid severe international repercussions. 

“The court is mindful of the national interest at stake in the present situation. The letter issued by World Rugby dated 12 May indicates that failure to amend the Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby on or before 23 May would lead to Sri Lanka’s suspension from international rugby. Such a consequence would be detrimental not only to the sport, but also to the country’s reputation and prospects on the global stage.

“Therefore, in view of the broader public interest and the necessity to preserve Sri Lanka’s standing in international rugby, the court accepts that the withdrawal of the undertaking by the respondents, albeit a deviation from an earlier position, is justified under the circumstances. 

“The urgency and gravity of the potential suspension provide sufficient basis for allowing the constitutional amendments to proceed in accordance with the requirements set out by World Rugby.”

The release notes that the court emphasised the discretionary nature of writ jurisdiction, citing the Justice’s statement in the landmark case of Jayaweera vs. Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Services, Ratnapura.

“A petitioner who is seeking relief in an application for the issue of a writ of certiorari is not entitled to relief as a matter of course, as a matter of right, or as a matter of routine. Even if he is entitled to relief, still the court has a discretion to deny relief having regard to his conduct, delay, laches, waiver, or submission to jurisdiction — all of which are valid impediments that stand against the right to relief.”

The release also outlines the significance of the judgment, noting that this landmark ruling by both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal brings legal clarity to SLR’s governance, validates the reform agenda initiated to align with World Rugby’s constitutional requirements, ensures Sri Lanka’s continued participation and credibility on the global rugby stage, and removes obstacles to democratic governance, clearing the path for the scheduled AGM and future strategic direction of the sport.

The press release further notes that SLR, all true rugby players, and rugby lovers welcome this historic decision as a decisive step forward and remain firmly committed to ensuring good governance, transparency, and accountability across all levels; collaborating closely with World Rugby, Asia Rugby, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs; and driving the long-term growth, professionalism, and international integration of rugby in Sri Lanka.