Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has been grappling with a series of crises stemming from leadership failures, transparency issues and disputes over Constitutional amendments. Following a prolonged legal battle involving provincial unions and the Ministry of Sports, an agreement has been reached to restore administrative order and move forward.
The legal dispute concluded with an agreement between the Ministry of Sports, provincial unions and the Attorney General’s Department. According to Western Province Rugby Football Union Secretary, Waruna de Silva, the roadmap includes convening a Special General Meeting (SGM) to appoint an election committee, followed by an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to elect new office bearers. The newly elected leadership will then review proposed Constitutional amendments, subject to member approval at another SGM.
De Silva noted that this resolution aligns with the original demands of the provincial unions, which had opposed an earlier attempt to approve a new constitution without stakeholder consultation.
The crisis, according to de Silva, was exacerbated by a lack of leadership within the SLR. Acting President Nalin de Silva was accused of failing to address disputes and take decisive action to prevent the suspension of SLR and the subsequent court case. Furthermore, the process of drafting the revised Constitution lacked transparency, with stakeholders and committee members excluded from key stages of its development.
“There was no proper procedure or cohesion in the process. This backdoor drafting created mistrust among stakeholders,” de Silva explained.
A contentious issue in the Constitutional debate has been the allocation of voting rights. While clubs have been the backbone of rugby in Sri Lanka for nearly a century, provincial unions argue they play a critical role in grassroots development, including women’s rugby and outstation talent.
“We are not against clubs getting votes, but it must be equitable. The current or proposed Constitution marginalises provincial unions in the decision-making process,” de Silva stressed.
Provincial unions, modelled after systems in countries like New Zealand, have struggled due to chronic underfunding and lack of support. World Rugby’s annual development grant, meant to fund provincial activities, has been withheld to offset fines, leaving provincial unions with limited resources.
De Silva acknowledged the shortcomings of the provincial system over its 30-year existence, citing lack of funding as a major issue. However, he defended its relevance, highlighting success stories in developing boys’ and women’s rugby in the Western Province.
“With proper funding and collaboration between SLR and provincial unions, we can unearth and nurture outstation talent that clubs cannot access,” he claimed.
The looming January 31 deadline set by World Rugby adds urgency to these efforts. The AGM must be held within the timeframe, but Constitutional requirements for notice periods make it a tight schedule. De Silva expressed hope that newly elected office bearers will negotiate with World Rugby to extend the deadline and set Sri Lanka Rugby back on track.
As clubs consider organising an invitational tournament due to delays in the league, the focus must shift toward balancing competitive rugby with grassroots development. De Silva stressed that SLR must adopt a unified approach to ensure the sport’s growth at all levels.
The resolution of the legal crisis offers an opportunity to rebuild Sri Lanka Rugby on a foundation of transparency, equitable representation and collaboration. Effective leadership, adequate funding and a commitment to grassroots development will be the key to ensuring a brighter future for the sport in Sri Lanka.
