- Waruna’s petition for SLR AGM also before Court
The Contempt of Court inquiry as determined by the Court of Appeal on the Competent Authority (CA) of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Shemal Fernando, is scheduled to get underway today (15).
The Court deemed this late last month, after considering a petition filed against Fernando – also the Director General (DG) of the Sports Ministry, by six Provincial Unions led by the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU).
The Provincial Unions had petitioned the Court, after the SLR Competent Authority failed to oversee the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the dissolved SLR by 21 January, as proposed to the Court.
During the Court proceedings which took place on 29 April, Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe Jnr., withdrew representing the DG in the case, citing conflict of interest.
The Court in its summation on that date, ruled that the DG concerned had violated its previous rulings and hence his actions had undermined Judicial authority, necessitating a contempt inquiry against him.
The petitioning Provincial Unions were represented by the President's Council and ex-MP M. A. Sumanthiran.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal also fixed for consideration a writ petition filed by the Secretary of the WPRFU Waruna de Silva, seeking an order to hold elections for Sri Lanka Rugby, also for today (15).
Appearing on behalf of the petitioner when the case was convened on 29 April, PC Faiszer Musthapha informed the Bench, that all requisite arrangements had been finalised to conduct the SLR AGM on 21 January in accordance with an agreement previously reached before the Colombo District Court.
However, the PC alleged that the election was abruptly suspended on that date, based on an order issued by the DG of Sports, which he maintained constitute to Contempt of Court.
He further added that this situation had created confusion linked to nominations already submitted for the said election.
ASG Sumathi Dharmawardena appearing for the AGs Department, then stated that as a related Contempt of Court case is also scheduled to be taken up on 15 May, that the petition filed by the WPRFU Secretary, be also taken up on the same date.
The Bench consisting of Justices Acting President of the Court of Appeal Mohamed Lafar Tahir and Priyantha Fernando, then instructed the WPRFU Secretary’s petition to also be taken up today (15), for further proceedings and confirmation of facts.
World Rugby (WR) has set 14 June as the final implementation of its deadline to the suspended Council of SLR or risk a 2-year sanction from international rugby competitions.