January 05, Colombo (LNW): Our website proudly stood at the forefront as a media outlet happy with Priyantha Ekanayake’s appointment as the Chairman of the National Sports Council. This was due to his remarkable representation of the national team in two sports, the belief that he could effectively convey to the government the political underpinnings of the rugby crisis at the time, and his distinguished role as the Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Baseball.
Priyantha’s ability to clearly recognize that the Asian Rugby boycott, and particularly the international rugby boycott, seemed to be an effort by individuals who had harmed Sri Lanka’s rugby administration individuals who should have faced consequences locally to align with the international community to fulfill their own agendas, was a significant factor in this. Priyantha’s ability to advise the Minister on the necessity of punish these individuals accountable, addressing the mistakes, and advocating for the betterment of the sport he once represented was a key reason to celebrate his appointment.
However, considering the public statements he made to a national media outlet, one might question whether he is positioned to address or condone the influence of a conspiracy affecting Sri Lankan rugby. Furthermore, the constitution that empowers regional associations carries significant international implications. New Zealander Jeff Matheson is the author of the foundational document of the current constitution, a fact well known to Priyantha.
The direction rugby should take…
The development of regional rugby in Sri Lanka has stalled due to the loss of annual international aid that did not simply vanish. The issue lies in allowing foreigners to play for Sri Lanka without a proper legal basis or citizenship.
The motive behind this is not the desire to win for Sri Lanka, but rather to showcase that the leader’s son can bring victories to the country.
When the then-rugby chief, involved in the incident, committed the offense, the officials responsible were instructed to pay the £50,000 fine imposed by the international body, with the amount to be deducted annually from the international aid they receive.
Priyantha Ekanayake is clearly aware of this fact. After Namal Rajapaksa came to power, the administration began making decisions freely and directly. However, the individual who had arranged for the country’s rugby union to be fined £50,000 on his behalf obstructed this progress by appointing an Advisory Committee and placing himself as its chairman. That appointment was made with the consent and blessing of the Asia President, who had been in the Asia President’s arms for not being punished for the offense. This was explicitly stated in the letter that the then Director of Sports sent to the Rugby Administration.
As the culture of influencing Sri Lanka by aligning with Asia gradually emerged, and with the Minister’s support in attracting both local and foreign sponsors, the existing rugby administration began seeking out new sponsorships. Despite overcoming these challenges, the Asia Rugby plans to ban the Sri Lanka Rugby president for personally blame the Asia president over the phone (via internet connections) regarding the political leadership and the pressure exerted by Asian leadership on the country’s sport.
It is not a breach of the Asia Rugby’s disciplinary system, but a personal matter, and the Asia President used his power to impose the ban.
Furthermore, an investigation report has not been provided to date, and the opportunity to present the facts has not been given, and on the one hand, Sri Lanka’s sports ministers and officials of ministries and development departments have been holding back in order to attack the person who stood for the independence of rugby in the country, but they have not gone to inform the international community that a proper investigation has not been conducted regarding the person who spoke for the country.
It is clear from the media report in which he expressed his views that Priyantha Ekanayake also believes that when Asia and the international community make a statement, regardless of whether it is right or wrong, it should be accepted as such. It is unclear whether Priyantha Ekanayake considers it his responsibility to advise the Minister to accept the injustice fairly, rather than oppose it, if an unfair decision causes any harm to Sri Lankan sports.
The path that Priyantha should take to become a “rugby lover”..
As a best example of re-thinking the transfer of more power to the sports clubs in that category, which are already expecting and trying for a constitutional change, the Sri Lions Sports Club has defeated the CH team at the beginning of this year, justifying the opportunity to enter that category. Also, Priyantha Ekanayake understands what these sports clubs are doing by surrounding themselves with members of a royal culture with the high facilities available to their sports clubs.
We are aware that a privileged group surrounds them. With the convenience of restaurants in Colombo, they have managed to operate these sports clubs with relatively low taxes. But have they taken steps to prepare teams for women’s and age-group rugby competitions? How will the players who rise to the national level through sports clubs under the regional associations maintain their rugby skills once the smaller sports clubs are closed?
It should be Priyantha Ekanayake’s responsibility to advise the Minister on how to encompass the achievements of the privileged sector within the country’s sports, to nurture provincial-level organizations in order to sustain the sport nationally, to provide guidance on measures that can prevent the decentralization of the country’s resources, and to offer advice on the responsibilities that history has entrusted to this government.
But if Priyantha sees the expectations of Asia and the world at this moment (if he has actually expressed those facts to that newspaper) as dancing in the footsteps of those who have conspiratorially destroyed the independence and integrity of rugby in this country, then there is also a serious political problem.
Given that Priyantha has made positive contributions to the development of baseball in Sri Lanka as an administrator, we believe he is fully aware of its current situation. We are also confident that Priyantha knows whether his current rugby team will continue to thrive in that position and take steps to make the game shine, or whether it will falter.
We have evidence that he did not even secure the funding for the recent international tournament. Priyantha should carefully consider whether rugby should be included in the influence and exploits of such individuals.
The Minister should be instructed to act within his powers to inquire from those still striving to enter the field about how the rugby administration became indebted, and to take action against the administrations responsible for losing £50,000 on behalf of Sri Lanka. As a result, many people will be unable to travel to Asia or participate in global events. Therefore, if the government’s goal is to elevate sports in this country to the same level as rural sports, cultivate talent, and lay the foundation to enrich those talents, then it is Priyantha’s responsibility as an advisor to guide the Minister in writing to the international community. He should inform them that regional power for the expansion of sports in the country must be secured based on government policy, preventing any attempts to strip rugby of its rights through a constitutional amendment.
By now, even Sri Lanka Cricket has started to think based on the need to expand, despite the reduced votes.
Historically, in areas like Uva, Thalduwa, and Lindula, it was not the locals who played rugby, but foreigners. However, they must have left that legacy & gene behind in those regions. We must confront true socio-sexual issues without shame. By focusing on identifying potential talents and nurturing them into greatness, we should also share the true history with the world, while creating an environment to hold accountable those who have attempted to undermine the rise of rugby in Sri Lanka.
Because of them, the Ministry and the Ministry should be instructed to write to the world, which is trying to subjugate Asia and the world and destroy Sri Lankan identity, on the need for decentralization of the country’s sports policy. This is a matter that should be done by Priyantha Ekanayake.
*Adapted from original article, “ප්රියන්තගෙන් විය යුතු ප්රිය කාරණා” by Nishman Ranasinghe published on 05/01/2025.
