June 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry has indicated that disciplinary measures are expected against the national rugby governing body after administrative failures led to the cancellation of an international fixture against South Korea, following the team’s inability to secure travel visas in time.
The match, part of the Asian Rugby Championship schedule, was called off last week after the squad was unable to travel, prompting scrutiny over the handling of logistical arrangements by the federation responsible for the sport.
Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, addressing the media, placed responsibility firmly on the relevant governing body, stating that such operational matters fall outside the remit of the Ministry. He emphasised that while government support may extend to funding approved expenses, administrative duties such as visa applications, travel bookings and coordination rest entirely with the sports federations.
He criticised what he described as poor planning, arguing that last-minute requests for travel documentation reflected a serious lapse in judgement. According to him, expecting visas to be processed within days of departure was neither realistic nor acceptable practice in international sport management.
Gamage further remarked that repeated attempts by sporting bodies to attribute organisational failures to the Ministry were misplaced, adding that accountability must remain with those directly responsible for team administration. He also suggested that similar issues had arisen in the past, and warned that continued negligence would not be tolerated.
