Dilroy to be elected SLRFRS chief

Jatila KARAWITA

Sri Lanka’s most accomplished rugby referee Dilroy Fernando, is tipped to become the new President of the Rugby Referees Society of Sri Lanka, at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on January 10 next year, according to reliable sources.

Fernando, who also functions as the Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), was not immediately available for comment. Sources said that the majority of rugby referees were in favour of Dilroy Fernando being elected to the helm of the Referees Society and that with the rapport he has with his refereeing colleagues he would probably become its President uncontested.

Fernando, 45, a product of Isipathana MV is the only Sri Lankan referee to be promoted to the post of International Rugby Board (IRB) grainer a few years ago, and he has also officiated in major international Sevens tournaments besides being in charge of Test matches sanctioned by the sports world controlling body.

The former Sri Lanka and CR&FC fly half who counts over 15 years of ‘blowing’ in the top league has also conducted several IRB accredited courses for local referees here over the years.

A widely travelled rugby personality, Fernando known for his clout with the IRB and the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) hails from a sporting family with his elder brother late Major Milroy Fernando having represented Royal College at rugby before being killed in action at Omanthai in 1986 and his younger brother Sanjaya Fernando having turned out for Isipathana MV before joining Sri Lanka Air Force.