PALAWATTA POLITICS
By Nishman Ranasinghe – May 11, LNW (Colombo)
Match Overview
At the rugby match held at the Colombo Turf Grounds, neither New Zealand nor Sri Lanka
could score during the final moments. The final score was New Zealand 32, Sri Lanka 6, with
the halftime score reading 17–3. A large crowd attended, and it was observed that a
significant number of both tickets and invitation passes had been printed.
Selection Bias and Elitism
As we’ve mentioned before, Sri Lankan national representation in rugby does not stem from
an open, merit-based environment. The current political-administrative setup has chosen to
limit representation to a few elite clubs, effectively preventing broader access. This
environment, under the so-called ‘people’s government’ label, has continued to suppress
rugby from growing into a more inclusive sport.Sports Ministry and Power Centers
While the Sports Minister has previously shown responsiveness to regional sports issues,
such as intervening in the accommodation crisis for Vavuniya schoolchildren, his behavior
toward rugby reveals submission to certain influences. Power in this government, as
always, lies with forces beyond the ministers often dictated by the elite from places like
Palawatta.
Palawatta’s Role and Class Dynamics
If rugby were left to the Palawatta elite, the sport might be dismissed as unnecessary or
considered a sport for the wealthy alone. However, they are clearly opposed to making
rugby a permanent domain of a few privileged clubs. As we’ve always proposed, Sri Lanka
should open the ‘A’ division to broader clubs while promoting relegation for
underperformers. Palawatta agrees with this fair competition approach.
Jeff Matheson and Decentralization
Jeff Matheson, a New Zealander, introduced a constitutional vision to decentralize rugby
from Colombo and Kandy to regions like Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Talduwa. Yet, Sri
Lanka’s team still comprises players from only eight clubs. This limited scope restricts other
talents, as there is no system for promotion or inclusion from outside these circles.
Power Struggles in the Rugby Administration
The new Sports Minister appears trapped by forces beyond his control and is reportedly
drafting a constitution to formalize power within these elite clubs. Those who suffer from
poor governance in local sports go on to damage international standards without
accountability.
Media Narratives and Misdirection
Despite clarity on these issues, the Minister remains under the influence of ill-advised
forces. The same excitement shown after beating Malaysia was echoed in the New Zealand
under-85kg match. Yet, no one shows Japan’s recent defeat to the senior All Blacks as a
comparison.
Talent Recognition and Perspective
Sri Lanka’s performance was commendable, and the players showed real potential. Still,
more significant was the effort shown by Tharindu Ratwatte in the Commonwealth Games.
Our administrators must understand this distinction since New Zealand’s primary teams
are far superior to their under-85kg squad.
Misinterpretation and Inflated Expectations
Claiming parity with New Zealand’s elite teams is unrealistic. Sri Lanka can be proud of its
players’ bravery, but misleading interpretations, driven by ill-informed advisors, must be
avoided. Such misinformation opens doors for other politicians to misuse other sports for
personal gain.
Security and Game Conduct
Both teams showed admirable conduct in Colombo, including attention to security. It’s more
valuable that Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 32 points from a potential 50, rather than
lamenting scoring only five points. Credit is due to leaders like Nigel Ratwatte and
Dhanushka Ranjan and their teams, who showed potential to challenge stronger global
teams even beyond the under-85kg category.Conclusion and Future Direction
The new generation is promising, but experience must be added. The rugby landscape
needs to be expanded across the country, not contracted to a few elites. While some
wrongly portray Sri Lanka as ready to face top-tier All Blacks, the real task is to build
pathways that distribute power and open doors to all capable players.
