Provincial Rugby Unions respond to misleading claims by Working Task Force Executive Director

The Provincial Rugby Unions have issued the following statement with reference to the article titled “SLR responds to ‘Provincial Rugby Unions condemn unlawful attempt to amend Sri Lanka Rugby Constitution’” published on 5 August (https://www.ft.lk/sports/SLR-responds-to-Provincial-Rugby-Unions-condemn-unlawful-attempt-to-amend-Sri-Lanka-Rugby-Constitution/23-779903).

The Provincial Rugby Unions of Sri Lanka categorically reject the misleading and legally flawed assertions made by the Executive Director of the so-called Working Task Force (WTF) regarding the current crisis in Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).

1. No entity has mandate to bypass the SLR Constitution

It is unacceptable to suggest that failure to hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) automatically grants World Rugby (WR) the right to suspend SLR indefinitely without first ensuring that all actions comply with the SLR Constitution.

Equally, neither the Sports Minister, nor the Sports Law, nor the Attorney General’s (AG) Department, nor WR, nor Asia Rugby (AR) has any legal mandate to amend the SLR Constitution without following its prescribed procedures.

This is precisely why a Court-recorded settlement was reached on 5 December 2024 between the Sports Ministry, the Provincial Unions, and the AG’s Department. The settlement clearly stipulated:

• The AGM must be held first.
• Only the duly elected SLR Council can call for a Special General Meeting (SGM).
• nAny constitutional amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority of stakeholders, namely the Provincial Unions.

This process is unambiguous. It cannot be short-circuited under any guise of urgency or external pressure.

2. Breach of settlement and abuse of process

To our dismay, the AG’s Department, which was a direct party to the 5 December 2024 settlement, has disregarded this binding Court decision. In what appears to be a calculated manoeuvre, the Competent Authority (CA) was prematurely removed, and a Working Task Force appointed—deliberately undermining the agreed settlement.

The AG’s Department, as a party to the settlement, should have ensured the continuation of the suspended AGM, not facilitated its replacement with an unconstitutional process.

3. Manufactured justifications and external pressure

We reject the repeated citation of WR’s “banning letter” as a justification for these illegal acts. This letter has been brandished multiple times to create artificial pressure, stifle due process, and bypass the constitutional framework.

If WR truly issued such directives, we call upon them to hold a full and transparent inquiry—open to all stakeholders and the public—into whether due process was respected. WR, AR, the National Olympic Committee (NOC), the AG’s Office, and the Sports Ministry bear the responsibility to either:

• Suspend the ongoing illegal AGM and nominations; or
• Submit a full inquiry report before proceeding.

4. Lack of transparency on voting structure

Provincial Unions have never been provided with minutes or explanations on how voting rights were arbitrarily allocated—such as six votes per club.

• Was this approved by a two-thirds majority?
• Was the change ever tabled before the legitimate stakeholders?

These opaque changes further highlight the erosion of governance standards.

5. Our position is clear: Process, not obstruction

The Provincial Unions have never rejected constitutional amendments. Our sole demand is that these amendments be introduced through proper process as per the SLR Constitution.

By endorsing and enabling these illegal actions, WR and AR are setting a dangerous precedent, opening the door for political interference in every rugby union worldwide.

6. Accountability will follow

We question whether the Executive Director or members of the WTF even possess a full understanding of the SLR Constitution. Their actions, and those of their enablers, will be fully answerable as this matter unfolds—both legally and in the court of public opinion.

Conclusion

We, the united Provincial Rugby Unions of Sri Lanka, remain resolute in defending the SLR Constitution. We will not allow political expediency, external interference, or administrative manipulation to erode the principles of good governance, transparency, and stakeholder rights.

The path forward is clear: Honour the 5 December 2024 Court-recorded settlement, hold the AGM under the existing Constitution, and then follow the proper procedure to consider any amendments.

Justice for the SLR Constitution is justice for Sri Lankan rugby.