CT Sports: Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) is also at risk of losing their international status if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) imposes a ban on Sri Lanka.
CT Sports: Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) is also at risk of losing their international status if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) imposes a ban on Sri Lanka.
Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) made the announcement on SLRFU after the IOC had requested Sri Lanka to reverse its decision to hold elections under controversial provisions of the Sports Law in order to ensure autonomy and jurisdiction of the National Sports Associations. According to the SLRFU official the (ARFU) “has confirmed Sri Lanka will lose its international status if IOC imposes a ban on Sri Lanka.”
He further noted if SLRFU failed to have the AGM before 31 May and also failed to come under an independent body, they will lose their membership at World Rugby.
In a letter addressed to Minister of Sports Navin Dissanayake on 7 April, Patrick J. Hickey, IOC Delegate Member for Autonomy, says “failure to do so would leave Sri Lanka at risk of international status.” They have warned, “This unilateral action goes against the principles and rules of the Olympic Movement and our previous agreements.”
After a recent opinion by the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministry of Sports had decided not to give permission to office bearers who have held office for four or more years to contest the key positions of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
Rugby is the fourth Sports Association so far to have received a warning from their world body, while Cricket, Swimming and Football had been warned earlier.
SLRFU called for fresh nominations for the 2015 election after the Sports Ministry stated not to give permission to re-elect any official who had a served a period of four years. However, affiliated Provincial Unions of the SLRFU have once again nominated the names of incumbent President Asanga Seneviratne and his Board – Lasitha Gunaratne (Vice President), Nalin de Silva (Secretary) and Kiran Atapattu (Treasurer) – to continue to serve in the same posts.
