Nimal Lewke has no intention of merely filling in vacant posts

RUGBY: President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) - Senior DIG Nimal Lewke, says that he has no intention of filling up the vacant post of Executive Director at the Union Headquarters after the departure of his long-serving CEO Dilroy Fernando, at the end of last month.

Senior DIG Lewke stated that as he himself has to end his stipulated two-year term in February, he would be able to oversee whatever duties assigned for the Executive Director of the SLRFU.

"It is only just one-and-a-half-months before I end my tenure as President, hence I should be able to tide over during that period of time," DIG Lewke told 'Sunday Observer'.

He stated that by bringing in a new person, to such a important post may not be the best things he could use it to his advantage, to remain in the post with the blessings of the new Council.

The SLRFU President added that before he assumed office in 2007. his predecessor Priyantha Ekanayake never consulted him on retaining Dilroy Fernando, but the latter has continued to serve a two-year term nevertheless.

"I do not want to be accused of bringing in a person and then allowing him to continue as he wishes", Snr. DIG Lewke explained.

"It is the responsibility of the new council to fill vacant posts and as I conclude my term, I do not want to be dragged into these unnecessary issues", added Lewke.

The post of Executive Director of the SLRFU was first created during the tenure of former President Mohan Balasuriya, with former Sri Lanka winger Chandrishan Perera becoming its first ever CEO in the 2005-2006 season.

Asked whether he himself is seeking an extension to his term of office at the forthcoming AGM, DIG Lewke dismissed such notions, saying that he would prefer to devote his time to Police duties since his recent promotion to the post of Senior DIG and allow the new administrators to steer the ship of Sri Lanka Rugby in whichever way they think is right. J.K.