- The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption need to launch an inquiry into this matter
- Scandal exposes DG Dr. Fernando’s lack of good governance and transparency – should step down
In a dramatic turn of events, what initially appeared to be a routine sponsorship deal by Sri Lions Rugby has sparked a major controversy in Sri Lanka rugby. The deal, which involved sponsoring the jerseys of the Sri Lankan Junior Under-18 national team during the Asian Youth Sevens Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, is now being scrutinized for its real intentions. What was publicly portrayed as an act of support for youth rugby is now being viewed as a potential bribe, aimed at fast-tracking Sri Lions Rugby’s promotion to the elite Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) ‘A’ Division, set to commence in November 2024.
Sponsorship or Bribery?
The suspicious timing of this sponsorship deal has raised serious questions about the integrity of the entire promotion process. Critics are now asking if this sponsorship was less about supporting the development of young athletes and more about using financial leverage to secure Sri Lions Rugby’s entry into the prestigious ‘A’ Division.
Key questions remain unanswered:
- How much money did Sri Lions Rugby pay as sponsorship?
- Was there a formal contract between Sri Lions and DG Dr. Shemal Fernando?
- Was the sponsorship money properly deposited into SLR’s account?
- Did the agreement contain any hidden conditions tied to Sri Lions’ promotion?
Adding fuel to the fire, shortly after this deal, Sri Lions Rugby officials namely Rajiv Perera (Director Sri Lions) was appointed to accompany the Under-18 Youth team as the coach on their tour to Malaysia and with Sujani Ratnayake (Directoress Sri Lions) as the Manageress of the Sri Lanka Women’s Rugby Team to Nepal for the Asian Rugby Sevens Tournament.
Lack of Transparency: Financial Cover-up Allegations
The financial side of the sponsorship has come under intense scrutiny. When The Morning Telegraph attempted to verify whether the sponsorship funds were deposited into the official SLR account, they were met with silence. The SLR accountant declined to comment. This evasive behavior raises significant concerns about transparency, leading many to question whether this entire sponsorship is being used to manipulate Sri Lions’ entry into the top rugby division.
Premier Clubs Push Back: Unease in the Rugby Community
The controversy surrounding Sri Lions’ promotion has sparked strong opposition from premier ‘A’ Division rugby clubs. These established clubs have openly objected to Sri Lions’ elevation, citing various procedural flaws and financial irregularities. They argue that Sri Lions Rugby lacks the necessary qualifications and point to an alleged questionable flow of money backing their promotion.
Procedural Missteps: Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering
The timeline of events reveals further procedural irregularities. On October 2, 2024, CR & FC Honorary Secretary circulated a letter inviting officials to plan an upcoming tournament. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a tournament consisting of the founder eight ‘A’ Division Clubs. The DG Dr. Shemal Fernando was informed of this meeting as he is the competent authority.
Almost immediately thereafter sensing that Sri Lions was not included in this tournament, Group Captain (Rtd) Nalin De Silva as the SLR point of contact working in tandem with DG Dr. Shemal Fernando then drafted a letter on October 4, advocating for Sri Lions’ promotion to the ‘A’ Division.
Director General Dr. Fernando promptly approved the request, citing the need for “the development of rugby in Sri Lanka,” despite lacking the authority to make such a unilateral decision. On the same day 4th October 2024 at 19:32 hours after obtaining the DG’s approval, the appointed Tournament Director Shamrath Fernando then sent an email to all founder ‘A’ Division Clubs stating that on behalf of the Competent Authority for Sri Lanka Rugby, Professor(Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando he was sending this email to inform them that there will be a tournament committee meeting on 9th October 2024 at 4.00pm. Surprisingly Sri Lions Rugby was also included as an ‘A’ Division Team set to participate in this event.
However, realizing his overreach, DG Dr.Fernando then hastily convened a meeting with representatives from the eight ‘A’ Division rugby clubs on October 9th, seeking their consent to elevate Sri Lions Rugby and include them in the planned ‘A’ Division tournament despite him already approving Sri Lions elevation to the ‘A’ Division.
Much to his dismay, the meeting on October 9 ended in a resounding rejection of his request, with seven out of eight clubs who were present (except Army SC representative) did not provide their consent for Sri Lions’ Rugby promotion. While expressing support for the inclusion of new teams in the ‘A’ Division, they emphasized that proper procedures must be followed. In this instance their objections were based on procedural violations and a lack of transparency in the process.
The ‘A’ Division clubs key points of contention include:
- The ‘B’ Division tournament, which Sri Lions won, was not officially sanctioned by SLR.
- The tournament’s rules were reportedly not followed, with Sri Lions fielding ineligible players registered with other clubs.
- The clubs filed complaints, which remain unresolved, and investigations into these issues were ongoing when Sri Lions was awarded the ‘B’ Division trophy.
- The affected clubs complained to SLR about their players violating the tournament rules and the SLR constitution as they represented Sri Lions. Till todate SLR has not communicated the outcome of the disciplinary committee findings and report to the clubs.
- Sri Lions should not have been awarded the ‘B’ Division trophy at the end of the last tournament game played, whilst investigations were still ongoing
A Troubling Precedent: Concerns Over Financial Sustainability
Concerns over Sri Lions Rugby’s financial sustainability are growing, especially in light of past experiences during the presidency of Asanga Seneviratne and the tenure of Vice President Lasitha Gunaratne. During their leadership, clubs like Hambantota Sharks and Nawalapitiya Lions were promoted to the ‘A’ Division only to collapse due to financial instability, setting a troubling precedent. Many are now questioning the source of Sri Lions Rugby’s financial backing and whether these funds are being sourced and used legitimately. These concerns are heightened by the lack of transparency surrounding the sponsorship deal, adding further doubt to the club’s sustainability.
Desperation and Political Interference: Pushing the Agenda
Amid growing unease, it has come to light that DG Dr. Shemal Fernando and his key point of contact, Nalin De Silva, are working tirelessly to secure Sri Lions’ promotion. Reports suggest that they are now attempting to involve the newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Council, Priyantha Ekanayake, to endorse their push for Sri Lions to enter the ‘A’ Division.
Calls for Resignation Amid Scandal: Rugby’s Integrity at Risk
As the Sri Lions Rugby scandal deepens, there is growing public outrage and mounting calls for accountability. Many are urging DG Dr. Shemal Fernando and Group Captain Nalin De Silva to resign, following the example of senior politicians who have stepped down in the wake of governance failures. The rugby community is pushing for a leadership overhaul to restore integrity to the sport.
This controversy presents an opportunity for the National People’s Party, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to champion its platform of transparency and accountability. The scandal has exposed serious governance and financial issues within Sri Lankan rugby, and with premier clubs standing firmly against Sri Lions’ promotion, the sport’s future is uncertain.
As more details emerge, the demand for reforms within SLR grows, and the fate of Sri Lankan rugby now depends on whether its leadership will take steps to clean up the mess or let the scandal deepen the crisis. The future of the sport hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if it can recover.
