Asia Rugby has suspended the membership of Sri Lanka Rugby at an Extraordinary Sub Meeting of its Executive Committee (EXCO) where it was unanimously decided to ratify the decision of the EXCO at its meeting on 9th April 2022 in Thailand to impose a full and immediate membership suspension until further notice.
The EXCO discussed the status report from the Asia Rugby delegate who traveled to Sri Lanka during the period between April 20 to 24, 2022, the delegate met the relevant stakeholders including the Sri Lanka Ministry of Youth and Sport, Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee, the suspended Sri Lanka Rugby, various Club’s representatives and the Rugby Referees Association; a consensus was established by all stakeholders that a fresh election is a necessity.
In maintaining a sport neutrality and appropriate governance, Asia Rugby confirms that on April 29, 2022, it has sent an official letter to the Minister of Youth and Sport Thenuka Vidanagamage revealing its desire to manage, run and conduct a fresh election which will be called upon by the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee.
Asia Rugby confirms that it will work with the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee on all relevant details concerning the fresh election and will award the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Olympic Council of Asia and World Rugby an observatory status at the potential election to ensure appropriate transparency.
Asia Rugby expects a response from the Ministry of Youth and Sport by no later than May 6, 2022.
Speaking to the media, President of NOC-SL, Suresh Subramaniam said “We as NOC-SL, will always uphold the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter, where we at all given time accept and deal with only an elected body. Unfortunately, Asia Rugby (AR) has taken a decision without checking the ground reality whilst listening only to one side of the story,” concluded Subramaniam.
The SLR Annual General Meeting (AGM) and its elections will be held on May 28, Saturday 2022. It will be conducted by the National Olympic Committee (NOC).
“The Asian Rugby (AR) suspension on Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is only for Asian Rugby conducted tournaments. Sri Lanka Rugby will continue to conduct its local tournaments and other international tournaments coming under the national Olympic committee (NOC)” said Rizly Illyas, the current elected SLR President as recognized by the NOC.
Tuesday, May 3, 2022 – 01:00