Rugby AGM postponed indefinitely

The annual general meeting of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union which was scheduled to be held yesterday was postponed indefinitely due to lack of a quorum.

The Director General of the Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation Bandula Dahanayake who presided over the meeting held at the Auditorium of the Sports Department at Torrington Square yesterday, said that the AGM will be postponed indefinitely due to lack of a quorum as only representatives of two Provincial Unions, Central Province and North Western Province were present.

Only NWP President Nishantha Dias and CPRFU's President Maurice Perera, Vice President Tuan Dole and Secretary Isfahan Omar were present at the meeting while representatives of Western Province RFU, Sabaragamuwa RFU, Ruhuna RFU, North Central Province RFU, Uva Province RFU and Sri Lanka Schools RFA were notable absentees.

The International Rugby Board had earlier threatened to suspend Sri Lanka's membership in the IRB if the country did not have an elected body by March 31, 2010.

But much to the relief of those present the Regional General Manager for Asia of the IRB Jerrard Gallagher promised to persuade the hierarchy of the IRB to give a grace period of two months and the Director General agreed to held the AGM within two months.

Despite the absence of the representatives of WPRFU the nominees of seven clubs affiliated to the WPRFU-CR and FC Vice President Christopher Jordashe, CH and FC Secretary Shane Dullewa, Havelocks SC Secretary Sen Wi Chang, Police Sports Club Secretary SP Hafeel Marso, Air Force Rugby Chairman Air Commodore Vijitha Gunaratne, Army Rugby Vice Chairman Brigadier Sunil Wanniarachchi and Manager of Navy Sports Club P.D.N. Kaluarachchi were present at the meeting.

According to the new constitution of the SLRFU one representative from each 'A' Division club are eligible to serve on the Council of the SLRFU.

When the Daily News contacted the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge he said that the AGM of the SLRFU will be held before the end of April, 2010. The present interim committee headed by Dr. Maiya Gunasekera is likely to continue in office till the AGM is held.