The Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFA) held their Annual General Meeting on Saturday (14th January), with the new office bearers being elected for the year 2023.
Incumbent President Dinka Peiris was re-elected as the President by the membership of the SLSRFA, with Jeffrey Shahid being appointed as the Secretary for the term. Priyantha Gunaratne and Brg. Kootuwegedara will function as the Vice Presidents of the Committee, while Pradeep Wilson, Deepal Punyawardane, Anil Mangala and Kamil Hadjje were elected as committee members. Irshad Carder and Rohan Gunarathne will be the representation of the past committee, with Anil Jayasinghe to function as the Referee Manager of the SLSRFA for 2023.
Having elected the office bearers for year 2023, the Referees showed their appreciation to the stakeholders that had assisted them in making the year 2022 a success, and also honored a few legendary late greats that have gone before us.
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Sponsors of the SLSRFA – Dialog Axiata PLC, SAGT, EFL, Kandurata Umbrella Industries – were all felicitated in recognition of their commitment towards the Rugby Referees of the country. SLSRFA also recognized the governing bodies of the game in the island – Sri Lanka Rugby, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, Mercantile Rugby were also felicitated for promoting the oval-shaped ball game in the country.
The Referees then moved to honor three late greats of the game who have done incredible service to Rugby and the SLSRFA.
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Past President of the SLSRFA in the years 1993/1994, late Gamini Fernando, was the first to be honored, with his nephew Asitha Samaraweera accepting the memento on behalf of the family. Trinitian Gamini Fernando was a lock who represented the Park Club in the domestic competitions, and also shone in the national colors. After hanging up his boots, he went on to further serve Rugby as a Coach and a well-respected Referee, and was the President of the association in 1993/94.
SLSRFA then honored late DIG Charles Wijewardane, with his wife Mrs. Sriyani Wijewardane accepting the accolade for the family. Vidyarthaian Wijewardane turned out for Air Force, Police, CR&FC and Kandy, having had the rare distinction of leading two of the Forces teams in Air Force and Police. He was a great promoter of the game in the Kurunegala region during his posting in the area, nurturing Rugby players at Maliyadeva and Kurunegala Rugby Sports Clubs, and was also a respected member in the Referees fraternity having served as the Secretary of the association in 1989 & 1990.
SLSRFA then honored late DIG Charles Wijewardane, with his wife Mrs. Sriyani Wijewardane accepting the accolade for the family. Vidyarthaian Wijewardane turned out for Air Force, Police, CR&FC and Kandy, having had the rare distinction of leading two of the Forces teams in Air Force and Police. He was a great promoter of the game in the Kurunegala region during his posting in the area, nurturing Rugby players at Maliyadeva and Kurunegala Rugby Sports Clubs, and was also a respected member in the Referees fraternity having served as the Secretary of the association in 1989 & 1990.
 held their Annual General Meeting on Saturday (14th January), with the new office bearers being elected for the year 2023.){kind=link}