- DG Dr. Shemal hoodwinks Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who also overlooks Sports Ministry
Dr. Shemal Fernando, the current Director General of Sports Development, appears to be employing tactics similar to those used during the Ranil-Rajapaksa regime, echoing how former Sports Minister Harin Fernando handled decisions. It seems as though the former minister has passed the baton, and Dr. Shemal Fernando is now navigating Sri Lanka Rugby with a similar approach, leaving many in the rugby community puzzled and concerned. His actions suggest a pattern of manipulation and control, creating confusion about the true direction of SLR under his watch.
For starters, Dr. Shemal Fernando has assured World Rugby that he will implement changes to the SLR constitution and conduct the Annual General Meeting, promising to hand over control to the elected body. However, with the Court of Appeal set to address the matter on October 22, 2024, it remains uncertain whether a ruling will support his actions. If his promises fall through, it may lead to further complications. World Rugby has set a deadline of November 8, 2024, and failure to comply could result in SLR’s suspension for an extended period.
However, what is concerning is that DG Dr.Shemal Fernando failed to conduct the AGM as directed by the Court of Appeal when it provided a ruling on the 10th of July 2024 when the Provincial Councils filed a petition with the Court of Appeal, naming the Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, the Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, K. Mahasen, the Director General of Sport Development, Dr. Shemal Fernando, and Nalin De Silva as respondents. The petition sought relief for amendments to the Sri Lanka Rugby constitution, along with permission to conduct the Annual General Meeting.
The petitioners managed to secure an ex parte ruling on the same day, as the sitting judges, after reviewing the petition, affidavit, and submissions of the President’s Counsel, determined that notices should be issued to the respondents. Formal notices were thus issued, and an interim order, as requested in paragraph (h) of the petition, was granted until the next hearing date. The court directed the Registrar to communicate this order to the respondents via telephone and fax, with the associated costs borne by the petitioner. The case is scheduled for a return hearing on July 24, 2024.
Despite the court’s order, Director General Dr. Shemal Fernando has thus far failed to comply and has not conducted the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Annual General Meeting (AGM).
However, on October 19, 2024, he used a state-run newspaper to present a completely different narrative. He also provided misleading information to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who oversees the Ministry of Sports, suggesting that everything is under control. Dr. Fernando claimed he is making every effort to amend the SLR constitution, hold the AGM, and is attempting to buy time from World Rugby by seeking an extension, as he very well knows that there is no way he could have these tasks completed before the set deadline of 8th November 2024.
More Blunders from DG Dr. Shemal Fernando
Good governance and accountability are evidently lacking on the DG’s part, as even the appointment of former state official Chulananda Perera as the Ombudsman appears to be nothing more than a facade. A recent official complaint lodged by former Sri Lanka Rugby President Rizly Illyas, concerning two former presidents’ involvement in misusing funds and accumulating significant debt that was passed onto him, has been conveniently shelved. This complaint also included the now infamous Fijian scandal, where Fijians were allowed to represent Sri Lanka in violation of the Immigration and Emigration Act.
Despite the Ombudsman providing written confirmation that there is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation, he deferred responsibility to the Minister of Sports, stating that he lacked the authority to initiate the inquiry himself. Months later, no action has been taken, and the issue remains unresolved, further highlighting the absence of proper governance in the handling of such matters.
Another concerning issue is Dr. Shemal Fernando’s handling of two other critical matters.
First is his push to elevate Sri Lions Rugby to ‘A’ Division status, and second is his discrete approach toward CR & FC’s blatant violation of the SLR constitution. CR & FC failed to send selected players for national duty at the Asian Rugby Sevens Tournament in Kathmandu, resulting in Sri Lanka finishing third. Despite this breach, Dr. Fernando has remained silent, raising questions about his impartiality and dedication to ensuring fair play in Sri Lanka rugby. Everyone knows that his reluctance to bring this issue to light is because of his former Minister Harin Fernando’s affiliation toward the Longden Place rugby club.
At a time when accountability is crucial, Dr. Shemal Fernando’s failure to act is deeply disappointing. Why has the DG remained silent in the face of such blatant misconduct? Is there a deeper agenda at play, and why are Colombo clubs seemingly receiving preferential treatment? The rugby community and the public deserve answers and immediate action to ensure the integrity of Sri Lankan sports is not further compromised.
But hang on, there seems to be a catch here.
Many believe that DG Dr. Shemal Fernando is using the situation as leverage to push for the elevation of Sri Lions Rugby to ‘A’ Division status. This appears to be a desperate move, following a failed attempt made alongside Group Captain (Rtd) Nalin Fernando, the former Acting President of SLR who were suspended earlier in May 2024.
When CR & FC and other founding ‘A’ Division clubs were consulted about this matter earlier, they refused to provide their consent, rejecting the proposal outright and casting doubt on the motivations behind this push for promotion.
Financial implications have also been unearthed, with even the SLR accountant choosing to remain mute regarding a sponsorship deal that Sri Lions had made, now viewed as a potential bribe to have them elevated to ‘A’ Division status. Questions pertaining to, was a sponsorship contract signed? What were the conditions? How much money did Sri Lions Rugby pay as a sponsorship sum to have their logo on the Sri Lanka Youth Under 18 jerseys? Was the money duly credited to the SLR account? – all of these continue to remain unanswered.
If Sri Lions Rugby is promoted to the ‘A’ Division and CR & FC escapes penalties from Director General Dr. Shemal Fernando, it would raise serious suspicions of foul play behind the scenes.
Such an outcome would suggest that decisions were made based on hidden agendas rather than fairness, further deepening concerns about the Director General Dr. Shemal Fernando’s fairplay and transparency in the process. This scenario would undoubtedly point to something dubious happening behind closed doors.
Former Sports Minister Harin favoured CR & FC due bonds of friendship
Meanwhile prior to being ousted and booted out of parliament the former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando made a significant donation of Rs. 20 million to CR & FC for the installation of floodlights, sparking serious concerns. The move was widely seen as a personal favor due to Fernando’s close ties with Dinuk De S. Wijeratne, a Deputy President of the club, who also holds the influential position of Chairman of Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. Critics argue the funds should have gone to Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), especially since the national body lacks training grounds, raising suspicions of favoritism and misuse of public funds.
An alternative could have been a strategic deal between SLR and CR & FC to allow national rugby teams including junior, senior, and women’s squads free access to the grounds, ensuring a broader benefit for Sri Lanka’s rugby development. Instead, the decision to single out a private club for such a substantial donation raised red flags about the former minister Fernando’s true motivations and the underlying personal interests at play.
In another controversial move, the former Minister Fernando spent a massive amount of public money to organize a sports carnival for Colombo’s elite just before the Presidential Elections, which many saw as a political stunt. Even more troubling was the involvement of Dilroy Fernando, former President of the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees, as the event coordinator. Despite being barred from holding any rugby-related roles due to conflicts of interest in selling rugby goods, an act that violates Sri Lankan sports laws he was given a prominent role, raising alarms about the legality of the event.
Take a look at this for accountability and good governance: The former Sports Minister, Harin Fernando, depleted Rs. 20 million from the Sport Ministry’s funds to gift CR & FC floodlights, while Sri Lanka Cricket had to step in with Rs. 15 million to fund the Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens Team’s tour to Nepal.
It seems even after the former Minister Fernando’s departure, he has left his influence intact, passing the baton to Dr. Shemal Fernando, the current Director General, to continue running his errands, despite the country now being led by the National People’s Power party.
