Ministry of Sports hands suspension to rugby president

8 December 2022 11:42 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Ministry of Sports on Thursday (8) announced that Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Illyas has been handed a suspension from engaging in any rugby related activities in Sri Lanka.

The suspension has come in the wake of Asia Rugby’s (AR) decision to suspend Illyas several months ago.

The Minister of Sports – Roshan Ranasinghe in a letter addressed to the SLR secretary and Chief Executive Officer – informed that in the best interest of male and female rugby players of Sri Lanka as well as the future of the game, the ministry has made this decision until the end of pending inquiry of Illyas conducted by Asia Rugby.

Illyas when contacted by Daily Mirror stated that he is already seeking legal advice.

“Obviously the ministry has made a decision, so I have to respect the Minister’s decision, but I am already seeking legal advice and as of now that’s all I can say,” Illyas said.

Illyas although was able to get rugby back in the island after huge setback during the times of Covid 19, has always had trouble dealing with the Ministry of Sports.

Former Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa in particular has had a very public fallout with Illyas which made administrating rugby very difficult for Illyas although he came out victorious in most of those battles.

However, it must also be stated that Sri Lanka’s rugby has hit new lows over the last couple of months with national sevens team finishing as low as seventh in the UAE leg of Asia Rugby Seven Series which came to an end at Al Ain a couple of weeks ago.

Ministry of Sports has also been in the centre of unwanted attention following the way Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has carried his responsibilities with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) also making a formal complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

(Harsha Amarasinghe)

Comments - 6

Nuwan =wattala Friday, 09 December 2022 05:21 AM

If the Sports Minster has suspended the SLRFU President the same should apply to SLC President too or misusing Board funds and other related matters..

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R.M Friday, 09 December 2022 06:20 AM

How come this Sports Minister and his predecessors while quite willing to act against other sports bodies, when it comes to SLC, Minister of Sports is frightened of SLC. For example, Minister Roshan Ranasinghe says SLC declared the team for recently concluded T20- 3 match series against Afghanistan without his permission and SLC is conducting the current T20 LPL without his permission. He also has observed the discipline among cricketers and the standard of cricket too has deteriorated under this SLC. However, he is too frightened to take any action against SLC. Is that because SLC has too much of money to be able to twist the arms of Minister of Sports?

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R.M Friday, 09 December 2022 07:22 AM

Dear Minister of Sports. Do not allow SLC to mis-represent the situation of cricket in Sri Lanka to the ICC. Let the ICC know SLC is a corrupt body which has no interest in Sri Lankan cricket but to enjoy themselves with massive amount of SLC revenue. Also explain how the discipline and standard of cricket deteriorated under the current SLC Executives.

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Get refund of all expenses from the Casanova Friday, 09 December 2022 08:42 AM

Ministry of Sports is a Septic Tank and every one who goes near it, come out with the stench. Episode in Australia is good example. Tell that Casanova to refund all the expenses incurred for his Kamasasthra experiment.

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R.M Saturday, 10 December 2022 02:52 AM

Cricket in Sri Lanka is run by SLC not by the Ministry of Sports which has absolutely no control over SLC. So, blame Executives of SLC for problems with Sri Lankan cricketers not the Ministry of Sports.

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nisala harith Wednesday, 14 December 2022 05:09 PM

All these fellow whether Namal or any rogue has no interest in taking forward the country, they just want to rob and rob till the country is a wasteland..

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