‘Ranil – Rajapaksa’ Regime Appointee DG Dr. Shemal Fernando Yet to Step Down, Still Hangs on to Post
Former Sri Lanka rugby and Basketball international Priyantha Ekanayake was recently appointed Chairman of the National Sports Council, receiving widespread congratulations on social media, reflecting his popularity and reputation as a kind-hearted individual.
However, in the recent past, the role of Chairman NSC is often seen as largely ceremonial, with the position frequently changing hands due to its political nature. This turnover is mainly due to a result of the constant reshuffling of Sports Ministers in Sri Lanka, which has led to inconsistent leadership and a lack of a cohesive, long-term strategy for the development of sports in the country. As a result, Sri Lanka’s performance on the global sports stage remains unimpressive, hindered by the instability at the top.
For instance, Sri Lanka’s cricket rankings have experienced a significant decline, with only a slight improvement in Test cricket following a home series win against New Zealand. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Rugby, the second most popular sport in the country, has fallen to 11th place in Asia, highlighting the deep issues within the sport. In an even more troubling sign, only four Sri Lankan athletes did qualify for the concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games, painting a grim picture of the nation’s athletic capabilities.
Despite the existence of 35 Olympic Sports Associations, many of these organizations are marred by allegations of corruption and self-serving officials who have prioritized personal gain over the development of sports. These officials are known for holding on to their executive committee seats and enjoying the perks of overseas travel and luxury accommodations, all while mismanaging funds meant for nurturing athletic talent.
Adding to the chaos, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka has been embroiled in scandals, most notably with its Secretary General Maxwell De Silva being ordered to be suspended by the organization’s Ethics Committee after facing numerous allegations of fraud, corruption, and even human smuggling.
Amid this backdrop, Dr. Shemal Fernando, the Director General of Sports Development, is under scrutiny for his eagerness to promote Sri Lions Rugby to the ‘A’ Division, a club that has been known to throw huge sums of money around as if it is confetti.
He has been collaborating with Group Captain (Rtd) Nalin De Silva, former Acting President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), and Shamrath Fernando to push this agenda. However, the decision to award Sri Lions the ‘B’ Division title in 2024 was met with controversy. The team was accused of fielding ineligible players from ‘A’ Division clubs, and an investigation into these allegations remains unresolved, with key reports still awaiting closure. Despite these issues, certain SLR officials surprisingly proceeded to hand over the ‘B’ Division trophy to Sri Lions, a move that was widely criticized, when many believed that the trophy should have been awarded to Police ‘Griffins’.
Sponsorship or Bribery?
In a desperate bid to seek elevation to the ‘A’ Division tier, Sri Lions also faced further controversy after allegedly providing sponsorship funds to have their logo printed on the Sri Lanka Under-18 rugby jerseys, raising questions about whether proper protocols were followed. It remains unclear whether the sponsorship funds were deposited into the SLR’s bank account and whether the terms of the sponsorship were formalized.
The suspicious timing of this sponsorship deal has raised serious questions about the integrity of the entire promotion process. Critics are now asking if this sponsorship was less about supporting the development of young athletes and more about using financial leverage to secure Sri Lions Rugby’s entry into the prestigious ‘A’ Division.
Key questions remain unanswered:
- How much money did Sri Lions Rugby pay as sponsorship?
- Was there a formal contract between Sri Lions and DG Dr. Shemal Fernando?
- Was the sponsorship money properly deposited into SLR’s account?
- Did the agreement contain any hidden conditions tied to Sri Lions’ promotion?
Adding fuel to the fire, shortly after this deal, Sri Lions Rugby officials namely Rajiv Perera (Director Sri Lions) was appointed to accompany the Under-18 Youth team as the coach on their tour to Malaysia and with Sujani Ratnayake (Directoress Sri Lions) as the Manageress of the Sri Lanka Women’s Rugby Team to Nepal for the Asian Rugby Sevens Tournament.
Lack of Transparency: Financial Cover-up Allegations
The financial side of the sponsorship has come under intense scrutiny. When The Morning Telegraph attempted to verify whether the sponsorship funds were deposited into the official SLR account, they were met with silence. The SLR accountant declined to comment. This evasive behavior raises significant concerns about transparency, leading many to question whether this entire sponsorship is being used to manipulate Sri Lions’ entry into the top rugby division.
With the 2024/25 ‘A’ Division rugby season fast approaching, Dr. Shemal Fernando made a misstep by unilaterally approving Sri Lions for ‘A’ Division status. Realizing the overreach, he quickly called a meeting with representatives from the founder ‘A’ Division clubs, seeking their approval. However, to his dismay, the representatives unanimously refused to grant consent for Sri Lions’ promotion.
Now, it seems the responsibility has been shifted to Priyantha Ekanayake, the newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Committee, to make the final decision. While Ekanayake is known as a well-liked and approachable figure, the pressing question remains whether he will be able to make the tough, potentially unpopular decisions required. Will he stand firm with balls of steel and act in the best interest of the sport, or will he bow to the pressure like a limp noodle and follow the directives handed to him?
The answer will soon unfold with many hopeful that he will stand firm and continue to maintain his reputation as a straight shooter.
