Rugby swings back into caretaker hands

Victory for good governance says SLR as election is sounded

In yet another move the administration of rugby was passed back into the hands of the stop gap Working Task Force (WTF) this time following objections raised by the Attorney General’s Department over the granting of a court Stay Order sought by the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU).

The WPRFU obtained the court Stay Order against the WTF last week preventing it from functioning. Objections to the Stay Order were raised by the Attorney General’s Department led by Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena PC.

The latest ruling is said to be a landmark victory for the WTF appointed by the Sports Ministry to draw up and implement a new Constitution for Sri Lanka Rugby to fall in line with World Rugby requirements.

The WTF met today at the Duncan White Sports Foundation auditorium in Colombo at a Special General Meeting (SGM) to draw up the new Constitution and subsequently conduct the long overdue election of office-bearers to Sri Lanka Rugby. “It is a resounding victory for righteousness, accountability and the future of rugby in Sri Lanka. It has been warmly received by the public and the wider rugby fraternity as a long overdue step toward restoring transparency and good governance in the sport”, Chula Ariyaratne, the executive director of Sri Lanka Rugby said in a statement.

The administration of rugby in Sri Lanka entered a turbulent phase when an election of office bearers failed to take place in 2024 that resulted in the Sports Ministry under the previous government appointing what was called a Competent Authority which subsequently made way for the Working Task Force.

World Rugby put Sri Lanka on notice with action of an international ban if a new Constitution is not implemented during the period in question.