February 03, Colombo (LNW): At a time when efforts are being made to carry out the obedient mission of removing the rugby constitution from Asian influence even under the third minister, Sports Director General Shemal Fernando, who is trying to fulfill the responsibility of holding elections in accordance with the existing rugby constitution and not handing over that responsibility to the officially appointed administration, has now requested a one-year extension from the World Rugby for this.
The existing constitution includes representation of all sports clubs, and this has not been a problem for anyone so far. It is a problem because the damage and disrepute caused to Sri Lankan rugby by several officials who came through those sports clubs and with the consent of the provincial unions has made those officials unpopular within these provincial unions. The World Rugby is already imposing fines for the discrediting of Sri Lanka Rugby during the reign of certain officials, and the fines are being levied from the money given internationally for the development of Sri Lanka Rugby. Although the relevant invoice has already been received by the Director General of Sports this year, he is continuing to amend the constitution again and pave the way for them to come to power, with the blessings of the Asia President.
If the elected administration were to address this issue with World Rugby, it would reveal that the Asia President, backed by the country’s politicians and government officials, is advocating for the officials who have harmed Sri Lankan rugby. It would also show that no one involved in the country’s rugby administration has been sidelined, and that democratic and credible individuals can rise to power from any level of the sports club. As a result, the Director General of Sports is attempting to seize control of the constitutional amendment process by obstructing the election committee appointed by court order.
It is highly suspicious that the Director General of Sports, despite his history of fulfilling an Asian contract, would act in such a manner, even disregarding court decisions, and that three ministers would allow this behavior under such circumstances. The Director General, in his attempt to change the constitutional amendment under his own supervision without going to a group appointed under the existing rugby constitution, has written to the Asia Rugby and the World Rugby, showing the political authorities of the sport that the role of the enthusiast may change to a situation where the fox that fell into the official bucket is caught in the rain in court.
The photo above captures the moment Shemal Fernando received his first appointment as Director General of Sports from Roshan Ranasinghe, who, under his political leadership, imposed international bans on three sports.
*Adapted from original article, “ඩීජී ව්යවස්ථාව වෙනස් කරන්නට අවුරුද්දක කාලයක් ඉල්ලයි” published by Nishman Ranasinghe on 03/02/2025.
