President's Message

Dear Members and Rugby Community,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and welcome you all. It is a great honour for me to take on the role as President of Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees, known as SLSRFR I have been the Chair since 2021, and this is my 5th year in success.

I’m an old boy of Prince of Wales, College Moratuwa and have not played this game, other than on 02 years of representing my company in the mercantile rugby tournament in the year 1993 & 1994. I joined SLSRFR in 1999 as a cadet referee and there onwards, got self-groomed with senior referee’s assistance, training and ended as one of the Tier 1 referees for almost 8-9 years in the A panel and hang by boots in 2019, completing 20 years an active match official, having qualified as World Rugby Match officials’ level 03. Thereafter I got Accredited as a coach of match officials’ level 1 & do work along with current set of officials. I also had the privilege of being the Secretary of the society for well over 12 years, with all these behind me, it gave me the pathway to become the President of SLSRFR, as at date I have being an active member for 25 long years and Rugby, Rugby Refereeing has become my second family. During this time and to date, I also got the opportunity work along with Sri Lanka Rugby, Sri Lanka School’s Rugby Football Association, Mercantile Rugby Football Association and various other organizations, also with overseas Referee societies, and rugby unions, namely Singapore, Nepal, Malaysia, Dubai, United Kingdom, Netherlands & with New Zealand. Also had services from New Zealand Bay of Plenty Rugby union officials coming over to Sri Lanka to train our local referees and followed by Mr. Bryce Lawrence from New Zealand Rugby union itself as chairman as head of Training & Education. Also have a close link with London Referee’s Society as well.

Key challenge I see as, expectations from stakeholders, rugby fraternity is huge, and it gives us no time of rest and to do every area of improvement to get improved. I also must thank fellow referees for doing a tremendous job, it’s volunteer work as this is not a professional platform and it gives a minimal take away. Glad we qualified referee coaches, and their commitment is a key factor for our local officials to get better each day.

My main aim is to create an atmosphere where officials, Coaches, Players & respective managers or Master In charge to work as ONE unit as these are key people in this games who takes the field of play. Right now, we are in the roadway, and few areas need to iron out within the key personnel and all of us walk on a carpet road with ease.

Our committee has a vast amount of experience and knowledge and is here to offer support to society at large. Our website or digital marketing team extremally doing an excellent job. Rugby games are special; they bring people together. It challenges us, but it also makes us better people. I wish you all the best & enjoy

I wish SLSRFR a successful season ahead.