- Why was political interference condemned in cricket but facilitated in rugby?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently removed Sri Lanka’s international hosting rights after concluding that Sri Lanka Cricket had not operated autonomously from government influence. That action led to the relocation of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup and drew a clear response from the cricket community.
The inconsistency lies in how rugby was handled. World Rugby suspended Sri Lanka Rugby in May 2023, citing governance failures and a breach of its bye-laws on political interference. World Rugby and Asia Rugby then joined a governance process that involved the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee and selected individuals. That process produced amendments to the Sri Lanka Rugby constitution and a restructuring of the governing body.
Rugby may have needed reform. The question is whether the constitutional changes followed Sri Lanka law, the procedural requirements in the existing constitution and the valid approval of Sri Lanka Rugby’s recognised voting members. I contend they did not.
A national sporting constitution must be amended under its own rules and the law. If legal and procedural requirements were bypassed, international participation in the review does not, by itself, make the resulting document legitimate.
That creates a direct contradiction. The ICC said Sri Lanka Cricket had failed to operate autonomously and imposed consequences. World Rugby suspended Sri Lanka Rugby for alleged political interference, yet later accepted a review process that included government representatives in decision-making roles.
Political interference cannot be illegal when a suspension is imposed and acceptable when a constitution is rewritten. Sporting autonomy must be applied consistently; otherwise it becomes a tool used selectively against some administrations and individuals.
Sri Lankan rugby has suffered through suspensions, court disputes, administrative instability, mounting liabilities and the exclusion of legitimate stakeholders. Players, clubs and supporters have borne the cost while those who stewarded the governance process have largely avoided public scrutiny. That must change.
Fully independent inquiry
I call for a fully independent inquiry to examine the matter.
- The circumstances that led to the suspension of Sri Lanka Rugby in May 2023, including the documents and findings relied on by World Rugby.
- All communications and minutes of meetings between the Ministry of Sports, World Rugby and Asia Rugby relevant to the governance review.
- The legal authority under which the constitutional review was convened and the terms of reference given to the review group.
- Whether each constitutional amendment was adopted in accordance with the procedures set out in the prior constitution and applicable Sri Lankan law.
- The names, roles and declared interests of those who proposed, promoted or approved the changes to the constitution.
- Evidence that Sri Lanka Rugby’s recognised membership was given a fair opportunity to vote or was pressured, bypassed or denied its democratic rights.
- Whether World Rugby and Asia Rugby applied their rules on political interference consistently, with reference to their own public statements and timelines.
If the inquiry is established, I will appear and present documentary evidence, including minutes, correspondence and draft constitutional texts, to support these concerns.
This is not a personal dispute. It concerns the independence, legality and future of Sri Lanka Rugby.
Rugby public deserves more
The rugby public deserves more than carefully worded international statements. It deserves the full documentary record.
If the ICC can act to protect the autonomy of cricket by removing hosting rights, World Rugby and Asia Rugby must explain why they treated the governance of Sri Lankan rugby differently and on what legal basis.
There cannot be one standard for cricket and another for rugby. There cannot be one interpretation of political interference for those in office and another for those who have been removed.
Sri Lanka Rugby does not belong to a minister, an international official, a temporary committee or any politically connected individual.
Convene an independent inquiry. Produce every relevant document. Require decision-makers to answer under oath.
The evidence must determine the facts, not influence, politics or institutional power.
The factual foundation includes the ICC statement that Sri Lanka Cricket had failed to operate autonomously, which led to the relocation of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup; World Rugby’s statement that it suspended Sri Lanka Rugby for governance concerns and political interference; and the subsequent confirmation from World Rugby and Asia Rugby that the constitutional review group included Ministry representatives.
(The author was president of Sri Lanka Rugby, 2020, 2023)
