World Rugby has refused the request made by Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake to appoint an interim committee until such time elections are held to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), Ceylon Today reliably learns.
In reply to the Minister’s request letter dated 24 June, World Rugby has clearly stated their stand that the Interim Committee will not be recognized by them.
However, Minister Navin Dissanayake denied this and said he has not received any letter from World Rugby so far. “Actually I have requested from WR (World Rugby) to appoint an interim committee, but I could not get any reply from them.”
At the moment the Sports Ministry is not in a position to do anything because of a pending Court case with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. “I will definitely appoint an interim committee as soon as I receive the reply from the World Rugby.”
Last week the District Court of Colombo issued an interim injunction until the case is finalized, preventing nominations being accepted or the holding of the SLRFU election, after the President of the Wayamba Province Rugby Union had filed a Court case stating that the constitution of the SLRFU had been violated by the Sports Ministry and that there is an imminent risk of the SLRFU being suspended by World Rugby. The next court hearing is scheduled for September.
SLRFU is one of the local bodies out of 18 associations that did not conduct their election so far due to the Sports Ministry refusing to accept nominations stating those are against the sports law. The Ministry appointed a Chief Officer to run the SLRFU till the elections, and all current administration work is being overlooked by the ministry.
Last week the current committee met stakeholders of the SLRFU and also discussed about the letter that was sent by World Rugby.
It is understood that Word Rugby has also stated to allow the AGM of the Union to be called in accordance with the constitution of the SLRFU, and this should take place before the end of 2015.
The letter also clearly states to permit the elected committee headed by Asanga Seneviratne to continue and complete its current mandate in accordance with the current constitution.
