World Rugby wants to see to believe Sri Lanka set-up | Sunday Observer

World Rugby wants to see to believe Sri Lanka set-up

4 June, 2023

World Rugby (WR) is ready to review the suspension of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) by engaging with the Ministry of Sports.

This follows a letter written to the world rugby body by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe explaining the status of SLR.

The World Rugby Council suspended SLR from its membership citing concerns about the governance of the sport in the island and a breach of the World Rugby Bye-Laws relating to political interference consequent to the appointment of a so-called Stabilisation Committee by the Sports Ministry after dissolving SLR.

The National Olympic Council (NOC) joined the scrummage by informing World Rugby they recognise only the elected representatives of SLR and not the Stabilisation Committee.

Minister Ranasinghe responded by explaining to WR in a letter dated May 23 that the Ministry of Sports is the governing body of sports in Sri Lanka and all sports federations should be registered and recognised under the Law of the country.

“Even the National Olympic Committee is a governing body under Sri Lankan law and should obey the Ministry and sports law,” he pointed out.

World Rugby has written to Minister Ranasinghe saying they are willing to accept his invitation to visit Sri Lanka and review the status of rugby by meeting all stakeholders involved with the sport.

“World Rugby shares the ministry’s concerns about the issues facing the governance of rugby in Sri Lanka and the need for a resolution in order to safeguard the sport,” David Carrigy, Chief International Relations and Participation Officer of WR has stated in a letter dated May 23.

“Whilst recognising Sri Lanka as a sovereign nation with its own domestic legal framework, in order to reach an outcome which ensures compliance with the World Rugby Bye-Law, World Rugby must gain further insight into the issues surrounding Sri Lanka Rugby’s governance,” it added.

“As such, World Rugby will be conducting a full review of matters and will be liaising with Asia Rugby as to the most appropriate way to conduct this exercise. This will no doubt require World Rugby to engage with the parties closest to the material issues,” the letter stated.

“It is also our intention to engage with the Ministry as part of this review process and are most grateful to you for your offer of a meeting to review these matters further.

We hope to be in a position to visit Sri Lanka (with Asia Rugby) in early July and will liaise with your office to confirm a suitable meeting time,” the World Rugby representative affirmed.

(AO)

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