Rugby fraternity wants SLR audited
Going through a serious administrative crisis since May of 2024, when the then Minister of Sport, Harin Fernando, dissolved SLR and appointed the Director General of Sports (DG) of the Department of Sports Development as the Competent Authority, more questions and challenges have been part and parcel of rugby.
A CA who is also the DG of Sports, two former SLR officials, who claim to be part of the current success story of Sri Lankan rugby, and a clueless Sports Minister, who probably wishes all ends well
With countless legal strains brought up against the Competent Authority (CA) of SLR, Shemal Fernando, the question arises as to which role he plays when it comes to rugby – DG or CA? The latest charge raised against the CA of SLR comes as a stern reminder to any sane-minded official that since May of 2024, despite administrative troubles, the game has surged locally, while creating a camouflage to potential foul play within.
The letter addressed to the Auditor General requests an urgent audit inquiry into potential financial irregularities during the past 12 months since SLR was suspended and became a non-functioning entity administratively. It highlights the fact that due to the said suspension, the operations of SLR have come directly under the control of the CA, despite being non-operational and with a dormant administrative structure.
The finger is seriously and straightforwardly pointed at the CA, who is also the DG of Sports in the country, for non-adherence to principles of good governance and failure to follow proper procedures ‘as outlined in the SLR Constitution’, a subject that World Rugby and Asia Rugby are more keen to alter than resolve the issues faced during the past 18 months or so.
The letter highlights six counts of breach of Constitutional Clauses of SLR, particularly with regard to powers, functions, duties, transparency, procurement procedures, accounts and finance and so forth. It refers to Article 9, Clauses 9.1 and 9.18, Article 35, Article 38.4(c) and Article 50, to which the CA is a total stranger, despite holding responsible positions in another leading local sport body in the past.
“With SLR’s operations under suspension, there is no functioning administrative office, yet activities and finances are being directed without oversight,” notes the letter, which is also copied to the Minister of Sports as well as the Premier of the country.
Observations made by the section of the local fraternity also point out important facts such as lack of documentation and transparency, unaccounted sponsorship funds and unauthorised management, while it is said that the existing SLR staff continue to run its affairs under the CA’s direction. However, all activities, including the concluded Club Rugby League and Knockout competitions and other activities connecting SLR, including the concluded Asian Division I game against Malaysia played in Colombo and the ongoing New Zealand Under-85kg Tour of Sri Lanka, continue.
To conduct such high-scale local and international competitions, evidently the CA does not possess the experience, which draws attention to another direction: if it is him or any other rogue entity that runs the show from behind the curtain. Many have questioned the recent incidents that took place at a few official functions held during the past few weeks, where the DG took centre stage as the CA of SLR and saviour of rugby. The damning confusion was the introduction of Nalin de Silva, a former President and the last elected Deputy President before SLR was suspended 12 months ago, as the ‘Elected Acting President of SLR’. The question is how can there be an elected acting president when SLR is suspended and brought under a Competent Authority, who seems to enjoy the perks that are on offer.
Funds raised through sponsorships and endorsements to conduct local tournaments and international events such as the game against Malaysia and New Zealand U85kg are said to have mostly gone unaccounted for, at a time when SLR does not have an appointed signatory to release necessary funds for operational purposes. The letter addressed to the Auditor General clearly outlines the oversight as a key irregularity that leads to financial mismanagement and violation of good governance, allegations not strange to other entities such as cricket and football.
The letter questions the manner in which the now-suspended SLR functioned under the CA to manage funds while highlighting facts such as receipts and payments being handled informally, lack of traceable audit trails of the recent tournaments and disregarding proper procurement practices on sponsorships and dealing with service providers. It is also said that funds have not been officially credited for major tournaments and even the absence of valid sponsorship agreements, which itself is a violation of SLR Constitution. Questions also have been raised on informal ticket sales, discrepancies in distribution and of unauthorised individuals managing venues on behalf of SLR.
“These actions violate the SLR Constitution, national procurement regulations, and principles of public financial accountability. They also undermine future governance and the legitimacy of any incoming elected administration. We kindly request that your office initiate an independent audit and investigative review into all financial activities conducted during the suspension period, ensuring compliance with all relevant national regulations and the SLR Constitution,” the letter urges.