• Shemal removed as Competent Authority for SLR 

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage yesterday (22) removed with immediate effect the appointment of Shemal Fernando as the Competent Authority (CA) for Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).

This was by revoking the Extraordinary Gazette Notification bearing No. 2386/08 published on 29 May 2024 by his predecessor Harin Fernando.

In a startling shake up of the local rugby status quo, the minister thus resorted to his actions as per powers vested in him by Section 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and its amendments.

The minister, having removed the SLR Competent Authority, has formed a ‘Working Task Force (WTF)’ instead, made up of former players and sports administrators with experience, for the limited purpose of amending the SLR Constitution.

The minister has stated that he has appointed the WTF, as recommended to him by the Constitutional Review Group (CRG) – which was formed by World Rugby and agreed upon by all stakeholders.

The WTF consists of retired DIG M. R. Latiff as the Chairperson, National Olympic Committee Chairperson Suresh Subramaniam, National Sports Council Chairperson Priyantha Ekanayake, President’s Counsel Dinal Phillips and National Sports Council Member Rohan Abeykoon respectively.

The minister has stated that an election shall be held to elect office bearers within a period of 90 days after the registration of the new Constitution, in terms of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and its amendments.

Minister Gamage has authorised the WTF to manage the affairs of SLR, until the office bearers are duly elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will need to be held under the amended Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby.

The former SLR Competent Authority’s 12-month long tenure marked Sri Lanka’s elevation to the top tier of Asian rugby having seen off Malaysia last April after winning the Asian Division-1 Championship at home last year.

But, more often than not his stint was known for him being mired in legal wrangles, as Provincial Unions filed litigation against him for reneging his promise to Court, hold the SGM and the subsequent AGM and it led to the Unions filing a Contempt of Court case.

However, the Appeal Court dismissed the Contempt of Court inquiry filed against him a few days ago and it is in this backdrop that the minister has decided to relieve Fernando of his responsibility as the CA.   

Shemal Fernando however it is learnt will continue to remain as the Competent Authority (CA) for three other sporting institutions – namely Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL), Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) and the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS), respectively.

The aforementioned three institutions were dissolved by former minister Fernando, via an Extraordinary Gazette Notification published on 29 May 2024 for failing to hold their respective elections, before the annual deadline 31 May 2024 with Shemal Fernando being installed as the Competent Authority. 

Meanwhile, the outgoing Competent Authority (CA) for Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Shemal Fernando, in his capacity as the Director General (DG) of the Department of Sports Development attached to the Sports Ministry, has formed a separate Task Force and Management Staff for Sri Lanka Rugby.

These two groups have been established targeting the three international rugby matches that Sri Lanka is scheduled to play during June-July, which are also termed as 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers.

Former Sri Lanka centre Rohan Abeykoon leads the six-member Task Force which also includes Inthisham Marikar, M. R. Latiff, Ravi Wijenathan, Asanga Seneviratne and Hasan Sinhawansa.

Retired Air Force Group Captain Nalin de Silva who is the Point of Contact and Facilitator for SLR, has been made the head of the Management Staff, which includes Inthi Marikar and Retired Rear Admiral Udaya Hettiarachchi.