Nishman Ranasinghe – May 16, Colombo, LNW
1. Undermining the Attorney General
Sending an official letter to the Minister of Sports with a copy to the Attorney General of Sri Lanka by the Asia Rugby President amounts to belittling the office of the AG. It raises the question of whether the AR President is trying to operate above Sri Lanka’s legal system, particularly while attempting to force constitutional changes within Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) using World Rugby’s backing.
2. Interference During Ongoing Court Proceedings
This comes at a time when there’s an active Contempt of Court case against the Director General of Sports, who currently oversees SLR. The Asia Rugby President’s actions, such as inviting the AG to a rugby event, appear ethically questionable and may signal a broader effort to influence the judiciary.
3. Attempt to Circumvent Due Process
The AR letter, sent not only to the Minister but also to the NOCSL and AG, exerts pressure to alter the SLR constitution. This disregards existing legal proceedings and attempts to legitimize actions that are under judicial scrutiny.
4. Is the AG Being Pressured to Clear the DG?
The timing and nature of the letter suggest it may be an attempt to undermine the court case against the DG by creating a narrative that external bodies like AR have overriding authority, which they do not.
5. Contempt Towards the Judiciary
Issuing letters with conditions and deadlines to the country’s AG on how to conduct local sports governance amid legal proceedings is viewed as a direct insult to Sri Lanka’s judiciary and a breach of national sovereignty.
6. A Questionable History of Political Interference
This is seen as a continuation of efforts that began during Namal Rajapaksa’s tenure, where political interference in rugby governance led to national disgrace. Individuals involved in past mismanagement, including those fined by World Rugby, are now empowered under the current government with Asia Rugby’s blessings.
7. A Crisis of Accountability
The core issue is the Sri Lankan government’s failure to take punitive action against those proven guilty, instead providing them with official roles. This has emboldened external figures like the AR President to act with unchecked influence.
8. Manipulating Legal Protocol and National Honor
Trying to instruct the AG and the NOCSL on how to proceed legally and administratively via foreign sports officials is deeply offensive to Sri Lanka’s legal autonomy. Rugby, as an Olympic sport, falls under Olympic governance, not Asia Rugby’s direct control.
9. Asia Rugby’s Own Governance Failures
The AR President himself has been questioned for poor governance, especially in the failed attempt to remove Japan Rugby’s Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi. That failure serves as proof that AR’s own practices are flawed and not beyond question.
10. Sri Lanka Must Take a Stand
Japan challenged AR’s flawed disciplinary decision and won. Sri Lanka should follow suit by asserting its legal independence and governance standards. Legal systems should not be scaled down based on the size of the country—sovereignty must be respected.
11. Parliament Must Intervene
Given the magnitude of interference and disrespect shown to the AG and judiciary, this issue deserves urgent discussion in Parliament. It’s not just a sports governance issue—it’s about upholding national law, sovereignty, and integrity.
