Director General Shemal Fernando Faces Criticism for Assigning Dual Roles in Violation of Sports Law
Director General of Sports, Shemal Fernando, appointed during the previous administration led by Ranil Wickremesinghe, has frequently attracted attention for controversial decisions that critics argue contravene Sri Lanka’s Sports Law.
One such contentious issue involves former national rugby player Rohan Abeykoon, who has been assigned multiple roles that raises conflict under existing regulations.
Abeykoon was recently appointed to the National Sports Council (NSC) on February 14, 2025, a body responsible for advising the Sports Minister on the development and regulation of sports in Sri Lanka. Simultaneously, he has been serving as a Liaison Officer for the upcoming New Zealand Under-85kg national rugby tour to Sri Lanka, scheduled for April-May 2025. This dual appointment has raised concerns among critics who contend that holding both positions concurrently violates the country’s Sports Law.
This situation also adds to a series of controversies surrounding Director General Fernando’s tenure, including legal disputes and governance challenges within Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR). Notably, Fernando has been involved in legal proceedings related to the conduct of SLR’s Annual General Meeting and constitutional amendments, leading to further scrutiny of his decision-making and adherence to legal protocols.
As the New Zealand rugby tour approaches, it remains to be seen how these potential conflicts of interest will be addressed to ensure compliance with Sri Lanka’s Sports Law and maintain the integrity of its sports administration.
Critics further argue that the current composition of Sri Lanka’s National Sports Council (NSC) reflects ongoing governance issues and political interference that have historically troubled the nation’s sports sector. The 13-member NSC includes four individuals with rugby affiliations: Priyantha Ekanayake, Rohan Abeykoon, Shanitha Fernando, and Samantha Nanayakkara. Notably, Ekanayake, Abeykoon, and Fernando have professional ties to Malik Samarawickrama, a prominent businessman and political figure influential in previous administrations. This concentration of rugby representation is seen as disproportionate, especially considering the Ministry of Sports oversees 67 registered sports disciplines. For instance, cricket, a major revenue generator, has only two representatives and currently where SLC provides significant financial support to rugby-related activities.
SLR’s financial instability further complicates matters. The organization reportedly carries a huge debt and an ongoing fine from World Rugby, with limited sponsorship support. These financial challenges, coupled with ongoing legal disputes and the absence of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and an election, have led to administrative stagnation, with a looming ban by World Rugby lurking on the horizon. A gazette issued on May 29, 2024, appointed a Competent Authority in Shemal Fernando to oversee SLR, yet internal conflicts persist, hindering effective governance.
The dual roles assigned to Abeykoon have intensified debates about potential hidden agendas and the integrity of sports administration in Sri Lanka. As the New Zealand under 85 kg rugby tour approaches, addressing these conflicts of interest is imperative to ensure compliance with Sri Lanka’s Sports Law and to uphold the credibility of its sports governance.
