Pavithra “Pavi” Fernando’s ambitious campaign for the Sri Lanka Rugby presidency has hit an unexpected collapse, exposing a startling oversight. Despite the hype and promises of a plan to “revive” the sport, Fernando has been deemed ineligible under the SLR constitution for failing to complete a full two-year executive term. What was billed as a bold new dawn for rugby now risks becoming an embarrassing cautionary tale of ignorance, misplaced ambition, and political meddling, leaving fans disillusioned and the administration’s credibility further in tatters.
Sri Lanka Rugby is once again thrown into controversy, this time over the meteoric yet hollow ambitions of Pavithra “Pavi” Fernando. After launching an aggressive campaign and unveiling a manifesto filled with lofty promises, Fernando’s bid for the presidency of Sri Lanka Rugby is set to crumble before it even begins.
According to information obtained by The Morning Telegraph, Fernando is ineligible to contest under the Sri Lanka Rugby constitution, which clearly states that a candidate for the presidency must have served a full two-year term on the SLR Executive. Pavi, however, resigned after serving only one year and six months during Rizly Illyas’s presidency, formally stepping down in March 2022.
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Clause 28.6 of the constitution is unambiguous: a candidate must have completed at least one term defined in Clause 28.2 as a period not exceeding two years, within the last five years. By falling short of this benchmark, Fernando’s campaign is not just on shaky ground; it is legally void.
Castles in the Sky
What makes the situation more alarming is that Fernando has already gone public with his grand vision for the future of Sri Lankan rugby, hyping a roadmap that he cannot legally execute. In doing so, he has misled sections of the rugby community, creating a fever of expectation that is destined to end in disappointment. His campaign resembles nothing more than a castle built in the sky, impressive in appearance but without foundation.
Ignorance and Hype
Shockingly, this blunder appears rooted in Fernando’s ignorance or willful disregard of the SLR constitution. His lack of awareness has not stopped him from campaigning aggressively, nor from accepting vocal endorsements. Even the President of the Referees Society, Dinka Peiris, openly declared support for Fernando on social media, a move that has already sparked widespread criticism for its bias and potential violation of refereeing ethics.
Political Backing, but No Legality
Despite these constitutional shortcomings, Fernando is said to enjoy the backing of influential forces, including the National Sports Council under Priyantha Ekanayake and therby by default the Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, the Referees Society, and several A-division clubs and forces teams. Incidentally Pavi was even recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, a move many view as part of a carefully staged ascent, following in the footsteps of his father, Hemasiri Fernando.
Yet, no amount of political blessing or institutional loyalty can override the constitution. As Hassan Sinhawansa, the former SLR Executive Director, admitted, Fernando’s eligibility may have to be referred to the Attorney General for clarification.
Disappointment for Rugby Faithful
For loyal rugby supporters who placed their faith in Pavi, believing his rise could usher in a new chapter of integrity and accountability, this turn of events is nothing short of heartbreaking. What began as a campaign of promise has instead unraveled into a spectacle of misplaced ambition. Rather than charting a path toward reform, Fernando’s bid has laid bare the shaky foundations and troubling ignorance that continue to plague the very core of Sri Lanka’s rugby administration.
