Ex-Sri Lanka captain Pavithra Fernando was elected as the new President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) by a majority of 18 votes over his opponent Lasitha Gunarathne, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the sport’s local controlling body held at the Sports Ministry premises last afternoon.

Fernando-a former Royal and CR and FC captain polled 36 votes overall, with his former club, Kandy SC, CH and FC and Havelocks SC, abstaining from casting their vote to the ex-flanker, as the dust settled on the domestic rugby turmoil after a lapse of over one-year.

The new President of the SLR however had managed to win votes from the rest of the A Division clubs and tri-forces teams and Police SC to assure him of the sport’s top seat.

Gunerathne, himself a former head of the SLR-when it was then called Sri Lanka rugby Football Union (SLRFU), had managed to only pull precisely half of his opponent’s votes, making it a one horse race at the election.

During the AGM, a contest had also taken place to elect the Treasurer where Neomal Ekanayake fielded by Pavithra Fernando’s team, had also won by 36 votes to 18 over Hirunika Balasuriya from Lasitha Gunarathne’s camp.

Similar to the outcome in the battle for the Presidency, Ekanayake had been backed by A Division clubs and forces teams with the exception of CR and FC, CH and FC, Kandy SC and Havelocks SC.

It was also reported that Hirunika Balasuriya had informed the Election Committee (EC) of the AGM of his inability to be present at the election, and had conveyed it via a photocopy which had then been rejected by the EC, after which a vote had been called.

The rest of the officials from Pavithra Fernando’s team, were all elected uncontested, as long-standing internal strife which had threatened to backlist the country following the intervention of the game’s global body, was consigned to history at the eleventh hour.

The SLR Office Bearers for the year 2025-26

President – Pavithra Fernando

Deputy President – Shanitha Fernando

Vice President – Chinthaka Perera

General Secretary – Subash Jayatilaka

Treasurer – Neomal Ekanayake

Female Representative – Thilini Rangani

Athlete Representative – Stephen Gregory