COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s rugby community is gripped by controversy following a landmark court decision. The Appeals Court ruled yesterday that the Director General of Sports must halt his efforts to change the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) constitution before the long-awaited AGM can take place. This decision comes amid growing frustration from Provincial Rugby Unions and rugby professionals who are eager for the sport’s governance issues to be resolved.
The court’s ruling supports the stance of regional rugby associations, who argued that any alteration to the SLR constitution requires the approval of stakeholders before the elections. They contend that only a Special General Meeting (SGM) with an elected election committee—including two retired judges and a government official—can oversee such decisions. This mandate is seen as essential for transparency and to protect the interests of all involved in the sport.
Critics argue that the Director General’s repeated attempts to prioritize constitutional changes align with the interests of World Rugby (WR) and Asia Rugby (AR) instead of Sri Lankan rugby stakeholders. Provincial rugby leaders and their legal team, led by President’s Council Faiszer Musthapha, claim that the Director General’s alignment with WR is sidestepping local governance and diminishing the importance of Sri Lanka’s judiciary. According to them, his approach risks sidelining domestic rugby clubs, coaches, players, and referees who depend on the sport for their livelihoods.
Despite the court’s decision, the Director General reportedly continues to push for constitutional changes, prompting rugby officials to question his motivations. They accuse him of undermining the local rugby constitution and risking the sport’s future by delaying an essential AGM.
With yesterday’s ruling, stakeholders argue that the Director General must call an SGM to establish an election committee to oversee the process. “This decision is crucial for rugby’s future in Sri Lanka,” remarked a representative from a prominent provincial rugby union. “Rugby is more than a sport—it’s a profession and a source of livelihood for many. By holding back the AGM, the Director General is stalling their right to earn a living.”
The legal representatives of the provincial unions assert that only the SLR Council and member clubs possess the authority to call for constitutional amendments, not the Director General, the Minister, nor World Rugby or Asia Rugby. PC Musthapha’s legal team highlighted this, arguing that Sri Lanka’s rugby governance should honor local laws and stakeholders above all else.
Today’s court decision marks the second time an interim order was placed on constitutional amendments, leaving the Director General under mounting pressure to prioritize the AGM. Sri Lanka’s rugby community anxiously awaits further developments, with many hoping that this court decision will pave the way for stability and transparency in the sport’s governance.
The Appeal Court upheld the stay order, maintaining it until a final decision is reached. This decision came as the court overruled preliminary objections, allowing the case to move forward. Representing the Provincial Rugby Unions, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, alongside attorneys Pulasthi Rupasinha and Kavin Hettiarachchi, presented arguments. Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardane appeared for the respondents. The main objections are scheduled to be reviewed on December 3, 2024, a crucial date for Sri Lanka’s rugby future.
