Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Sports, must be urgently alerted to the troubling developments within Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) under the watch of Director General of Sports Development, Rear Admiral Prof. Shemal Fernando (Ex Navy).
Despite her clear directive that politicians should not be involved in school functions, Prof. Fernando invited Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Ex Air Force), the newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, to provide a motivational talk to the Sri Lanka Rugby team ahead of their participation in the Asian Rugby Sevens in Nepal.
This move has raised eyebrows among rugby enthusiasts, as it suggests a strategic attempt by Director General Prof. Fernando to impose a military-led governance style on SLR.
SLR has been in chaos since it was suspended on May 29, 2024, by former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando for failing to conduct its AGM within the stipulated time, thereby violating the country’s sports law. The responsibility for managing SLR was handed to Prof. Fernando, who was instructed to rectify the situation.
However, over four months later, he has yet to conduct the AGM, leaving SLR on the verge of suspension by World Rugby if the matter is not resolved by November 2024.
In an even more concerning development, Prof. Fernando has brought in Group Captain Rtd Nalin De Silva (Ex Air Force), the former Acting/President of SLR and a key figure responsible for its initial suspension, to work closely with the Ministry of Sports. This decision has raised serious questions about the integrity of the process, especially given that De Silva played a direct role in SLR’s downfall.
Meanwhile, Asia Rugby’s double standards are becoming more and more apparent, as they invited Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) to participate in the Asian Sevens in Nepal and the Under-18 Youth Sevens in Malaysia, despite the current suspension.
Previously, under a similar suspension, Asia Rugby had refused to invite Sri Lanka to the Asian Sevens tournament. It was only after significant intervention from the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) that the team was allowed to compete, but under the condition that they play not under their national flag, but the NOCSL flag.
Meanwhile, Prof. Shemal Fernando, despite SLR’s suspension, took charge of team selection and overseas tours following the recent invitation from Asia Rugby.
He reinstated most individuals responsible for SLR’s suspension, including Acting President Nalin De Silva (Ex air force) and Rear Admiral (Rtd) H.A.U.D Hettiarachchi the now suspended former SLR Vice President (Ex Navy), effectively running SLR as though it were under military command.
A closer examination of the published video reveals that former military personnel, including those from the Navy and Air Force, were leading the proceedings from the head table.
This growing trend of military officials infiltrating sports associations has had detrimental effects. Many have joined these associations post-retirement, enjoying the perks while contributing little of value. Worse, there have been widespread reports of corruption and fraud, leaving the reputations of once-respected military figures tarnished.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya must urgently intervene to address these concerns as Prof. Shemal Fernando’s leadership has done little to stabilize SLR, and his approach has opened numerous cans of worms that threaten to derail any progress made in sports governance.
As a strong and capable leader, PM Amarasuriya must act quickly to prevent further damage, remove corrupt individuals from their posts, and restore integrity to Sri Lanka Rugby and the wider sports sector. Without her immediate attention, the good work planned for the country’s sporting future could be seriously compromised.
Despite the National People’s Power (NPP) gaining significant momentum just two weeks after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office, concerns are growing about why key appointees of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and, in particular, the ousted Minister of Sports, Lands, and Tourism, Harin Fernando, still remain in their positions. This puzzling situation is raising eyebrows and sending mixed signals to the public, especially with the General Elections looming on November 14, 2024.
