In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the rugby fraternity, Imthie Marikkar has unwittingly blown the lid on Asia Rugby, the Minister of Sports, and NSC Chairman Priyantha “Priyanthi” Ekanayake’s direct interference in Sri Lanka Rugby affairs. In a series of emails with the Sri Lanka Rugby Working Task Force (WTF) Chairman, SDIG (Rtd) M.R. Latiff, Marikkar admitted that his original appointment as Director Coaching was not by merit or law, but because of the involvement of high-ranking political and rugby powerbrokers.
“Only reason I am here is cause the Hon Minister and NSC chairman, Asanga, Rohan and the guys who voluntary wants to uplift the game,” Marikkar wrote in an email on 8 September 2025, effectively confirming what had long been suspected: that former SLR President Asanga Seneviratne, alongside Ekanayake and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, has been orchestrating rugby appointments from behind the scenes.
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The Appointment Rift
The saga began when Marikkar resisted pressure to sign a new letter making him Director High-Performance. His earlier appointment as Director Coaching (dated 2 June 2025) was declared null and void after the adoption of a new SLR Constitution on 7 June, backed by a Court of Appeal ruling. Under the new structure, the position of Director Coaching no longer exists. Latiff, in a strongly worded email, reminded Marikkar that he was clinging to an “illegitimate and null and void appointment letter” and that unless he accepted the new post, he had no standing in Sri Lanka Rugby.
Despite this, Marikkar insisted he had already signed one letter and questioned why he needed another. His resistance triggered the now infamous line that exposed the real power dynamics: his presence depended entirely on the Minister, Ekanayake, Asanga, and their circle, not on legitimate authority.
Latiff Cracks the Whip
By September 8th afternoon, Latiff had clarified the legal position once and for all: Marikkar’s June letter was dead, his appointment invalid, and only the Director High-Performance role was recognized under the new constitution. Latiff’s emails made clear that unless Marikkar signed the new letter, the WTF would inform World Rugby that he held no official post.
This exchange not only exposed Marikkar’s shaky footing but also validated long-circulating suspicions that Asanga Seneviratne has been pulling strings behind the scenes with the support of Ekanayake. The Minister of Sports, instead of intervening to ensure good governance, has been reduced to Ekanayake’s puppet dancing to his tune while Sri Lanka Rugby crumbles financially.
What It Really Means
Marikkar’s own admission provides the missing piece of the puzzle. It confirms that his appointment was politically engineered, with the Minister, Ekanayake, and Asia Rugby’s Asanga Seneviratne orchestrating events to keep control of the sport. It also sheds light on why CR&FC’s Pavithra “Pavi” Fernando, now a controversial presidential candidate, has been pushed forward as the frontman. With Pavi in office, Seneviratne, Ekanayake, and their allies would be able to run Sri Lanka Rugby by proxy, dominating from the shadows while hiding behind a hand-picked figurehead.
For years, rugby fans suspected manipulation. Now, thanks to Marikkar’s careless email, there is confirmation. This is not just mismanagement, it is a coordinated hijacking of Sri Lanka Rugby, propped up by political power, personal friendships, and international meddling.
The rugby community is left with one conclusion: unless President Anura Kumara Dissanayake acts to clean house, starting with Ekanayake and his enablers, the game will remain hostage to puppeteers and powerbrokers masquerading as “uplifters of the game.”
