The inaugural Dialog rugby referees awards were held last evening at the Galadari Hotel. Dayasiri Jayasekara Hon. Minister of Sports and Hon. Harin Fernando, Minister of telecommunication and digital infrastructure were the chief guests at the dinner.
Mr. Nizam Jamaldeen the president of Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR) addressed the gathering and thanked the president of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Mr. Asanga Senavirathne, vice president Lasitha Gunarathne and secretary Nazeem Mohamed for the guidance and support. Jamaldeen also appreciated the support received from the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association (SLSRFA) despite the immense pressure they had in conducting the league.
Nizam jamaldeen
Mr. Jamaldeen also stated that “We had so many issues but we managed to provide referees to over 600 games in 2016, bringing a foreign referee only allows him to gain exposure and our referees will not be recognized ” He mentioned that SLSRFR brought down England society of referees for a work shop as well and also urged media to encourage the referees to grow its participation.
Harin Fernando
Minister Harin Fernando also addressed the gathering “I was so privileged to be in New Zealand last year and I was so encouraged to see a cabinet minister refereeing in the A division, it is encouraging to see how they take rugby in to their system.”
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Dayasiri Jayasekera
Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekera also addressed the gathering “It is a much looked forward event in the annual calendar as this will give an opportunity for all the hard work and effort put-in throughout the year and recognize and reward it.” “Refereeing is largely a thankless task”
Minister Jayasekera further said that the referees celebrate 63 years in existence and “ I’m proud to note Sri Lanka not only has held the honour of having match officials and representatives on the Asian panel and also had the honour of heading the Asian rugby referees society. He also has directed to improve refereeing, conducting seminars to uplift the referees from level 1 – level 5.
Photos: Dialog Referees Awards 2016
Dialog Referees Awards 2016
The awards were given to all the past presidents of SLSRFR including the living legend Summa Navarathnam.
Past Presidents : Summa Nawarathnam, S. Sivendran, Metha Abeyagunawardena, Rt. Senior DIG Nimal Lewke, Brg J.P.A. Jayawardena, Tony Amit, Dilroy Fernand, Orville Fernando, Mohan Balasuriya, Ana Saranapala and Gamini Fernando were the past presidents.
Read More: Summa Navarathnam – Bolt of Asia in the 40’s
H.P. Weeranga was the most up and coming referee and Jeffy Shahid was awarded as the best member.
H.P. Weeranga
Jeffery Shahid
Meanwhile, the AGM of SLSRFR was held this morning and below is the new committee until January 2018.
- President – Nizam Jamaldeen
- Vice Presidents – S.W. Chang and Anura Rankothge
- Secretary – Dinka Peiris
- Treasurer – Shamrath Fernando
Past Committee members Roshan Deen and Tony Amit
4 elected committee members out of proposed in BOLD
- Gerald Rasaiiah
- Lasantha Jayawardene
- Nimal Somarathne
- A C Tennakoon
- Madawa Wijayasiri
- Pradeep Fernando
- Gamini Indrasene
