Imthie Marikkar has been rightfully removed by WTF Chairman, SDIG STF (Rtd) M.R. Latiff, putting an end to a clumsy attempt by NSC Chairman Priyantha “Priyanthi” Ekanayake and his sidekick, Sports Ministry Private Secretary Darshana Waragoda, to send their ally into the World Rugby General Assembly in England. The decision, hailed by the rugby community, now sees Group Captain (Rtd) Nalin De Silva, who had been previously selected by the WTF to attend going instead.
For once, common sense has prevailed. And in doing so, Latiff has not only restored credibility but also left Ekanayake red-faced, humiliated, and with his manipulations laid bare for all to see.
The Joyride That Wasn’t
Ekanayake and Waragoda thought they could bypass due process and send Marikkar whose rugby résumé is defined by flying down a sixth-string New Zealand under-85 side and overseeing a winless streak to the most important meeting in world rugby. It was a textbook joyride, dressed up as administration.
But Latiff cracked the whip, reminding everyone that Marikkar had no legal standing in Sri Lanka Rugby. His earlier June appointment as Director Coaching was made under the old SLR Constitution, which had been declared null and void by a Court of Appeal ruling on 7 June 2025. Under the new constitution, the only valid position is Director High-Performance and Marikkar hadn’t even signed that letter.
The Emails That Told the Tale
The farce unraveled spectacularly through an email trail between Marikkar, the Executive Director of SLR, and Latiff himself:
- 8 Sept, 8:27 a.m. — ED Chula Ariyaratne warned Marikkar he had until the end of the day to sign the new Director High-Performance letter or be dropped. Without it, he had no official role, and World Rugby would be informed.
- 10:59 a.m. — Marikkar sulked, claiming he was working “voluntarily,” and exposed himself with this gem:
“The only reason I am here is because of the Hon Minister, the NSC Chairman, Asanga, Rohan and the guys who voluntarily want to uplift the game.”
In short: no merit, no constitution, just political patronage. - 11:15 a.m. — Latiff hit back, reminding him that SLR is under government auditors and COPA, stressing the need for documentation. With clinical bluntness, he added: “If you want to step down, that is your prerogative.”
- 11:48 a.m. — Marikkar doubled down, insisting he already signed a letter in June and couldn’t see why he had to sign another.
- 3:48 p.m. — Latiff ended the nonsense, explaining the June appointment was null and void, the post of Director Coaching no longer existed, and Marikkar was clinging to an “illegitimate” letter. Until he signed the new one, he had no role in Sri Lanka Rugby.
The emails left no doubt: Marikkar was not just illegitimate—he was exposed in his own words as nothing more than Ekanayake’s passenger.
Minister or Marionette?
The scandal also revealed the tragic role of Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, who has allowed himself to become little more than a marionette on Ekanayake’s strings. Instead of protecting Sri Lanka Rugby’s integrity, the Minister has ceded all authority to his Chairman, giving him free rein to treat the sport like his private property.
And all this at a time when Sri Lanka Rugby is broke—unable to pay staff and local coaches. Yet somehow, there’s money for international joyrides and the recall of Kiwi sevens coach Rodney Gibbs, reportedly at USD 10,000 a month plus perks. If the situation weren’t so dire, it would be laughable.
Latiff Stands Tall
By blocking Marikkar’s joyride and reinstating Nalin De Silva, Latiff has proven the WTF is not just a bunch of toothless tigers. His decision has been celebrated by players, administrators, and fans alike as a rare stand for governance in a sport suffocated by politics.
Meanwhile, Ekanayake has been left publicly ridiculed, his manipulations exposed, his ally discredited, and his influence weakened. For a man who thrives on control, this was a humiliating defeat.
The Rotten Script
This latest episode is no accident—it’s a rerun of the same rotten script Sri Lanka sport has suffered for decades. The NPP government promised change, but under Gamage and Ekanayake, rugby is still a hostage to political interference, cronyism, and arrogance.
The time for excuses is over. If Minister Gamage cannot rein in his rogue Chairman, then President Anura Kumara Dissanayake must act. Sack Ekanayake and restore integrity, or sack the Minister for allowing this circus to continue. Anything less will prove that under new banners, it’s still the same dirty game.
Sri Lanka Rugby deserves leaders, not puppets and passengers with “null and void” letters. Latiff has shown what leadership looks like—the rest must now follow.
Thank god we have a straight forward fearless experienced police officer in Latif to protect the game of rugby, where rugby is administration is concerned,even president comrade Anurakumara has swallowed big dead rope by a well known saboteur and it’s going to be rather late when they realise that they were completely misled.
💯 agreed with Viper snr. SDIG led by wisdom not by a bunch of DONKEYS and MONKEYS who cannot fool SGID Latiff a GENTLEMAN and an OFFICER of the highest CALIBRE. I salute you SDIG LATIFF but warn you to be careful of the ENEMIES whose motive seeking power, prominence, pride and popularity through SL RUGBY rather than the love and the passion for the game.
SGID LATIFF, may Almighty lead you in his wisdom in your endeavours.
God bless you. 🙏