By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): The World Rugby Council has suspended Sri Lanka Rugby from World Rugby member with immediate effect, in what a statement by the sport’s highest authority described as a response to the concerns about the governance of the island’s rugby sport and a breach of the World Rugby bye-laws pertaining to political interference.
The ousting of Sri Lanka Rugby from its membership at World Rugby was mentioned in a statement by the World Rugby Council, which further details that the Council and Asia Rugby agreed that the two would work together with all stakeholders to ensure the least possible disruption of rugby in Sri Lanka.
“The immediate priority is to work with all of the relevant stakeholders to resolve the governance issues. A resolution of these issues will enable Sri Lankan athletes and officials to participate in upcoming matches and tournaments in Asia,” the statement read.
Sri Lanka Rugby was recently subject to controversy over alleged irregularities at the governance of the body and political interference. As critics continued to urge that this issue be resolved immediately, the Council responded that World Rugby will work together with Asia Rugby and other stakeholders to “put in place a programme of meetings to be held in Sri Lanka to resolve the current impasse.”
Full statement:
“In response to concerns about the governance of Sri Lanka Rugby and a breach of the World Rugby Bye-Laws relating to political interference, the World Rugby Council has suspended Sri Lanka Rugby from World Rugby membership with immediate effect.
The World Rugby Council and Asia Rugby agreed that the international federation and regional association would work together with all stakeholders to ensure the least possible disruption of rugby in Sri Lanka.
The immediate priority is to work with all of the relevant stakeholders to resolve the governance issues. A resolution of these issues will enable Sri Lankan athletes and officials to participate in upcoming matches and tournaments in Asia.
World Rugby and Asia Rugby will urgently work with all stakeholders to put in place a programme of meetings to be held in Sri Lanka to hopefully resolve the current impasse.”
