Colombo, May 22, 2025 – In a dramatic move to restructure Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, has officially suspended the registration of Sri Lanka Rugby and revoked the appointment of Prof. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando as the Competent Authority, according to a gazette notification issued today.
Acting under the powers vested in him by Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, the Minister announced a temporary suspension of SLR’s operations and has appointed a five-member Working Task Force to manage the affairs of the sport’s governing body and oversee the implementation of a new constitution.
“I hereby suspend the registration of Sri Lanka Rugby,” the gazette states, referring to Extraordinary Gazette No. 2386/08 dated May 29, 2024, which originally appointed Director Sports Shemal Fernando as Competent Authority. That appointment has now been revoked with immediate effect.
New Task Force Appointed to Rewrite SLR Constitution
The newly appointed Working Task Force has been given a limited mandate: to implement a revised constitution for Sri Lanka Rugby in line with recommendations made by the Constitutional Review Group of World Rugby, which were previously agreed upon by all relevant stakeholders.
The members of the Task Force are:
Mr. M. R. Latiff, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) – Chairman
Mr. Suresh Subramaniam, Chairman, National Olympic Committee
Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake, Chairman, National Sports Council
Mr. Dinal Phillips, President’s Counsel
Mr. Rohan Abayakoon, Member, National Sports Council
Elections Within 90 Days After New Constitution
According to the Minister, an election to appoint new office bearers will be held within 90 days of registering the amended constitution under the existing Sports Law framework. Until such time, the Working Task Force will be authorized to manage the day-to-day affairs of Sri Lanka Rugby and ensure a smooth administrative transition.
“I hereby authorize the Working Task Force to manage the affairs of Sri Lanka Rugby until office bearers are elected under the new Constitution,” the gazette notes.
Broader Context and Remaining Provisions
Aside from the actions specified in today’s announcement, all other matters detailed in Gazette No. 2386/08 of May 29, 2024, shall remain in force.
This development comes amid mounting tension within the rugby administration, allegations of political interference, and growing pressure from international bodies, including World Rugby, to bring Sri Lanka’s rugby governance in line with international standards.
The Ministry’s intervention is viewed as a crucial step toward restoring transparency and legitimacy to Sri Lanka Rugby, although questions remain over the impartiality of some appointments and the broader impact on ongoing national team preparations.
This is a developing story.
