Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) announced yesterday that it will introduce foreign referees for the Super Round and implement major officiating reforms, a move aimed at ensuring neutrality, match integrity, and player safety during the decisive stages of the domestic season. The announcement has sparked debate among local clubs and fans, raising questions about the readiness of domestic referees to handle top-level matches.
The SLR Executive Committee has approved formally requesting Asia Rugby (AR) to appoint two overseas match officials from the Super Round onwards. This interim measure is intended to ensure consistency in key matches, relieve pressure on the limited pool of local referees, and bolster confidence in competition outcomes.
Simultaneously, the Committee granted conditional approval for a National Referee Development Plan, pending sponsorship funding and ratification by the Sri Lanka Rugby Council. The plan is designed to address the nation’s acute shortage of qualified referees—a challenge officials have identified as a major barrier to the growth of the sport.
As part of the proposal, SLR will conduct a one-time national intake to develop 30 new referees, including 15 from the Tri-Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) through the Sri Lanka Rugby Foundation, and 15 recruited via an open national call targeting former and recently retired players with strong game knowledge. All selected referees will undergo a unified training, assessment, and accreditation pathway led by Sri Lanka Rugby, aligned with World Rugby best practices. SLR emphasized that this intake is a one-off measure to address the current shortage of match officials.
Additionally, the Executive Committee approved the creation of an SLR Elite Referee Panel, subject to Council ratification. Under this system, referees for elite and national competitions will be centrally appointed, monitored, and performance-assessed by SLR, with standardized grading, mentoring, and review processes.
Sri Lanka Rugby also recognized the longstanding service of the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees, confirming that the Society will continue as a valued partner in grassroots recruitment, education, and referee development.