DG Dr. Shemal Fernando under scrutiny for hasty endorsement
Several founding clubs of Sri Lanka’s elite ‘A’ Division Rugby appear prepared to pursue legal action against Dr. Shemal Fernando, Director General of Sports Development, if Sri Lions Rugby is permitted to join the ‘A’ Division League, set to begin in November 2024.
This stance follows widespread concerns and perceptions of favoritism surrounding the push to promote Sri Lions, who were awarded the 2024 ‘B’ Division championship title under controversial circumstances.
Founder ‘A’ Division Clubs Voice Opposition
Meanwhile, a Sri Lions sponsored social media whatsapp group continues to circulate unverified match schedules and committee appointments, further heightening much speculation within the rugby community.
Although recent, these unverified reports have raised expectations that Sri Lions Rugby will participate in the ‘A’ Division tournament, SLR Council members clarified that before its suspension on May 29, 2024, the council had not granted any official endorsement for Sri Lions’ inclusion.
An official from a prominent ‘A’ Division club informed The Morning Telegraph that during an October 9 meeting, representatives from top clubs explicitly opposed DG Dr. Fernando’s decision. According to the representative, a letter from Nalin De Silva, signed as a point of contact, endorsed Sri Lions’ promotion without formal authority or constitutional grounds. The official argued that the SLR Council, rather than the Director General, should exclusively determine club promotions. However at the same meeting, whilst stressing on the insistence of procedural integrity, the ‘A’ Division clubs expressed openness to including new teams but insisted on adherence to established protocols, cautioning that bypassing procedures would set a negative precedent for future tournaments.
The Contentious 2024 ‘B’ Division Tournament
Several questions have arisen regarding the legitimacy of the concluded 2024 ‘B’ Division tournament and the controversial awarding of the championship and trophy to Sri Lions Rugby.
Founder ‘A’ Division club officials claim that the ‘B’ Division Tournament was not conducted according to SLR standards nor sanctioned by the active SLR Council, although the tournament’s budget was presented way after the tournament had already commenced. They claim that there was no formal communication about the participating teams at SLR Council meetings, despite email correspondence being sent by the Tournament Director Shamrath Fernando to teams that only participated in the tournament, adding that even the match format played did not correspond to the rules outlined in the official rule book.
Allegations of Ineligibility and Unresolved Complaints
Sri Lions’ involvement in the ‘B’ Division tournament itself is also now contentious, with allegations that the SLR Council had not even approved their participation.
The constitutionally stated eligibility criteria specify that only ‘B’ teams of existing ‘A’ Division clubs may participate, and any exceptions require prior Council approval.
The SLR constitution reflects this in 2.6.3 which states “SLR “B” Division Rugby League for the Rudra Rajasingham Trophy – All “B” teams of the above “A” Division Clubs are eligible to participate in the 2023/24 “B” Division Rugby League for Rudra Rajasingham Trophy. However, the Council has the right to include any other Club/s or team/s prior to commencement of the tournament”. They claim they never approved of such
Decision to Award Championship Raises Concerns
Whilst the ‘B’ Division Tournament was in progress there were several complaints made by clubs claiming that Sri Lions Rugby had fielded ineligible players during the tournament. The first complaint was made by the Air force on the 21st of February 2024, followed by CR & FC, CH & FC and also Police SC.
SLR Council officials state that typically, such issues are settled promptly to maintain tournament integrity. Yet, these complaints persisted unresolved even during the October 9 meeting between DG Dr. Fernando and the founding ‘A’ Division clubs.
Despite these unresolved complaints still pending, SLR President-Elect Nalin De Silva, Tournament Chairman Udaya Hettiarachchi, and Tournament Director Shamrath Fernando awarded the ‘B’ Championship title to Sri Lions.
Calls for Fairness: Will DG Dr. Fernando Re-Award the Trophy?
If the inquiry finds Sri Lions guilty, anticipation grows for Dr. Fernando to act impartially and re-award the championship trophy to Police Griffins, who will then be regarded as the rightful champions. This would follow the precedent set in 1991 when Isipathana College was stripped of a title for fielding an ineligible player.
Accountability and Governance Under Scrutiny
In the past there were two instances where Hambantota Sharks and Nawalapitiya Lions were permitted to field a team each in the ‘A’ Division Tournament which happened during the former ‘Rajapaksa Regime’ era, when the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s three sons Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha were running the affairs of SLR under its President Asanga Seneviratne, as if it was their own private entity. It is alleged then that Nawalapitiya Lions had paid Rs 2 million to field their side which was not in line with the SLR constitutions rules and regulations. Those two teams which were granted ‘A’ Division status eventually, caused more havoc with players from founder ‘A’ Division clubs being poached and sadly left in the lurch creating more problems for them after both the Hambantota Sharks and the Nawalapitiya Lions disbanded shortly thereafter.
The current new government has vouched to enforce good governance, accountability, transparency and fairness and it seems imminent that Sri Lions Rugby may have to follow all the proper SLR protocols if in the event they are to be promoted to compete in the ‘A’ Division.
With the November tournament approaching, stakeholders emphasize the importance of Director General Dr. Fernando’s accountability in ensuring fair governance.
Many believe that Dr. Fernando should have thoroughly reviewed all facts and constitutional protocols before endorsing Sri Lions’ elevation to ‘A’ Division, questioning the integrity of the current rugby administration’s decision-making process.
