The Power of Apology: Will Priyantha Ekanayake Apologize? True Leaders Usually Do

When the New Zealand Under 85kg rugby team arrived in Sri Lanka earlier this month, few expected the visitors to walk away with two commanding victories. The first, a 50–10 drubbing in Kandy, was a wake-up call. The second, a 32–6 follow-up in Colombo, sealed the series and cracked open fault lines within Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) that have long been quietly festering.

But what followed off the field may have caused more damage than anything that happened on it.

The Fallout

After the initial defeat in Kandy, National Sports Council (NSC) Chairman Priyantha Ekanayake made the unusual decision to publicly criticize the national selectors and coaching staff. His comments, delivered with blunt force, landed like a second blow to a team already bruised from defeat. The criticism was directed particularly at selections and tactics undermining the very men who had been working tirelessly, and unpaid, to rebuild Sri Lanka Rugby.

The emotional toll was swift. Head Coach Sanath Martis, widely regarded as one of the finest rugby minds in the country, tendered his resignation just days after the second match. His decision was not taken lightly. Having led the team to the top tier of Asia Rugby just a month earlier and done so without drawing a single rupee for his service, Martis and his team of coaching staff had become a symbol of dedication. His abrupt departure has left not just a vacuum, but a deep sense of disappointment within the rugby community.

A Position That Comes and Goes

It must be said plainly: Priyantha Ekanayake’s position as Chairman of the NSC is political and temporary by nature. It is a seat where giants of Sri Lankan sport have sat before: including a former World Cup-winning cricket captain and many other stalwarts. They came, they served, and they moved on. So too will Ekanayake.

But the question is: what legacy will he leave behind? Will his tenure be remembered for positive reform and steady guidance or for leaving deeper scars within Sri Lanka Rugby? That is the real test of his leadership not his title, but his conduct.

DG Steps In to Rebuild Bridges

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Director General of Sports and SLR Competent Authority, Shemal Fernando, has stepped up. Speaking to The Sunday Morning Sports, Fernando described Martis’s resignation as “most unfortunate” and announced his intent to request the intervention of Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage to persuade Martis to return, especially with three critical matches ahead in Asia Rugby’s Top 4 series against Hong Kong, UAE, and South Korea. These are effectively World Cup qualifying matches.

Fernando acknowledged that Ekanayake’s remarks were likely a misunderstanding of the situation and emphasized the need for an amicable resolution, for the greater good of the game.

What Should Leadership Look Like in Defeat?

This episode offers a powerful case study in leadership.

Should a leader publicly criticize his team after a loss? It’s a fair question.

The answer, in most mature professional sports environments, is no. Effective leaders protect in public and correct in private. They take responsibility during failure, share credit during success, and lift their people up when morale is low. Public blame rarely strengthens a team, it demoralizes and divides.

Ekanayake’s remarks may have come from frustration, but they missed the mark. Rugby is not just about winning; it’s about culture, continuity, and community. Coaches and selectors aren’t just tactical minds—they’re mentors, often underpaid or unpaid, working long hours for the flag on their chest.

A Way Forward: The Power of Apology

This is not a call for shame it is a call for reconciliation.

A public apology from Priyantha Ekanayake could serve a far greater purpose than just smoothing relations. It would:

• Demonstrate humility and maturity in leadership
• Show appreciation for the voluntary service rendered by Martis and his team
• Help uplift emotionally wounded staff and restore trust within SLR
• Send a message to players, fans, and future coaches that Sri Lanka Rugby values accountability and its people

Such a gesture would not diminish his position. On the contrary, it would elevate him as a leader willing to reflect and unite.

Sri Lanka Rugby at a Crossroads

With Sri Lanka now facing elite Asian teams in what are essentially qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, internal unity is more critical than ever. Losing Martis at this juncture is not just inconvenient, it’s potentially catastrophic.

If there is even a window to bring him back, it should be pursued with sincerity, not politics.

Final Whistle, or Fresh Start?

Sri Lanka Rugby is at a crossroads. It can be a sport torn by egos and public fallouts, or one that learns, grows, and sets a new tone for accountability and respect. Let this be a teaching moment, not just for selectors and coaches, but for those who lead from the top.

The scoreboard may have read 82 to 16 across two matches. But the real defeat would be letting pride stand in the way of progress.

If handled with humility, this crisis may yet become a turning point, where Sri Lanka Rugby didn’t just rebuild its team, but redefined what leadership in sport looks like.