Four top positions uncontested at SLRFU elections

Anuradha ABEYSEKARA

Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) former President and Chief of Defence Staff Roshan Goonetileke will cary on for another term. Four top positions, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and seven council members were unanimously elected on March 31 at the Sports Ministry auditorium after the Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage took action to mediate the two-month long crisis on SLRFU election.

Asanga Seneviratne was appointed as the Vice President while Lasith Gunaratne was elected as the Secretary. Kiran Atapattu is the treasurer.

The SLRFU election and AGM which was scheduled for last February was adjourned due to a legal dispute between Incumbent President and Asanga Seneviratne over Presidency candidature. International Rugby Board (IRB) temporary suspended SLRFU's Full Membership to Associate

Membership when SLRFU failed to conduct their AGM and election according to IRB regulations.

When Daily News contacted the two parties after the elections Lasitha Gunaratne said , "we are content with the confederation and as we do not bear any grudge except for this technical issue, I hope we can work together with Asanga to develop Sri Lankan rugby".

As Asanga Seneviratne has gone out of the country, we spoke to former SLRFU official and IRB qualified referee Dilroy Fernandowho said "We are not satisfied with the way it went on. We had to compromise. IRB has drawn the dead line for a decision and we do not want to jeopardize the future of Sri Lankan rugby. So we came to this amalgamation,".

The Wetern Province Open Seven-a-side Rugby tournament which was scheduled for April 2 and 3 has been postponed due to the ICC World Cup final cricket match and will be worked off on April 9and 10 at Havelock Park. The draw will be conducted at the Havelock pavilion on April 7 at 6pm. AA

The new Office bearers of the SLRFU, President - Chief of Defence Staff Roshan Goonetileke, Vice President - Asanga Seneviratne, Secretary - Lasitha Gunaratne,

Treasurer - Kiran Atapattu, Council Members, Jehan Kanagaratne, Rear-admiral Jayantha Perera, Prashantha Wimalasena, Upali Vithanage, Thuan Dool, Fazal Mohommed, Shane Dullewa.