Court holds back rugby’s caretaker

By: Lakmal Sooriyagoda

Western Province Rugby Union wins Enjoining Order against Sports Ministry’s Working Task Force

Rugby administration in the country took another turn today  when the Colombo District Court issued an Enjoining Order preventing seven defendants, including the Working Task Force (WTF) of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), from conducting or participating in any action that contravenes the Rugby Constitution.

Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana declared the Order pursuant to a plaint filed by the President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union, Roshan Damian Deen, and its Secretary, Waruna de Silva, against seven defendants, including the Chairperson of the Working Task Force, MR Latheef.

The order will remain in effect until August 5. According to the Enjoining Order, the defendants are prohibited from taking any action in violation of the Rugby Constitution, including halting any appointments or actions by individuals claiming to represent Sri Lanka Rugby. President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake with Supun Dissanayake appeared for the plaintiffs.

The administration of rugby in the island currently stands without an elected set of office-bearers after Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) failed to conduct its annual general meeting and implement a new Constitution to fall in line with the requirements of World Rugby.

Rugby administration was then bought under a Competent Authority functioning under the Sports Ministry of the previous government last year.

This year the Sports Ministry of the new government abolished the Competent Authority and placed the administration of rugby under the Working Task Force.