Provincial Rugby Unions condemn unlawful attempt to amend Sri Lanka Rugby Constitution

Saturday, 2 August 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Provincial Rugby Football Unions yesterday in a statement expressed their grave concern and total rejection of the ongoing attempt to amend the Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) through an illegal and unconstitutional process orchestrated by the so-called “Working Task Force” (WTF) appointed by the Ministry of Sports.

The statement said the following:

It must be categorically stated that:

1.Neither the Ministry of Sports nor the Working Task Force has any legal authority — under the Sports Law of Sri Lanka or under the valid SLR Constitution — to amend, repeal, or override the governing document of Sri Lanka Rugby.

2.All actions taken by this Task Force, including the drafting and promotion of a new constitution, have been done outside due legal process and without the participation or consent of SLR’s democratically elected stakeholders — its member clubs and provincial unions.

This is a blatant violation of the SLR Constitution and an affront to the independence of sport governance in the country.

We also strongly denounce the foreign interference and influence that appear to be driving this reform process, which threatens to transfer the control of Sri Lanka Rugby to external interest groups, undermining the rights and voice of our local rugby community.

The Provincial Rugby Unions, representing a clear two-thirds majority of all stakeholders, stand united in defending the constitutionally mandated governance structure of SLR. We reiterate the following:

nThe only legitimate method to amend the Constitution is via the General Council of SLR, with a two-thirds majority approval from its full membership.

nNo ad-hoc committee, ministry-appointed task force, or external agency can override the internal democratic procedures laid down in the valid SLR Constitution.

We call upon all rugby stakeholders, legal institutions, and the public to recognise this attempted constitutional hijack for what it is — an illegal seizure of power without legal basis, transparency, or accountability.

The Provincial Rugby Unions will take all necessary legal and institutional steps to protect the autonomy of Sri Lanka Rugby and uphold the will of its grassroots members.

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