Eligibility Concerns Emerge Over Former SLR President’s Candidacy

Colombo, Sri Lanka – Reliable sources indicate that former Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President, Mr. Lasitha Gunaratne, has expressed his intention to contest in the upcoming SLR elections. It is understood that Mr. Gunaratne has secured a nomination from CH & FC, reportedly through his close association with the club’s president, Mr. Shammi Silva.

However, serious questions have arisen regarding his eligibility under the SLR Constitution. 

The AGM to elect office bearers for the 2020–2022 term took place on 29 August 2020, at which Mr. Rizly Illyas was elected President. The notice for this AGM was issued 40 days earlier, on 21 July 2020, which is considered Mr. Gunaratne’s final day in office as an SLR office-bearer.

Given that more than five years will have passed since that date at the time of nomination, Mr. Gunaratne would fall outside the eligibility window stipulated in the SLR constitution, rendering him ineligible to contest for the presidency.

The upcoming SLR elections are expected to draw considerable attention from the rugby community, with governance, transparency, and adherence to constitutional provisions under close public scrutiny.