Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) seem to have woken up from their deep slumber and decided to take the bull by the horns to stop the menace of hooliganism prevalent in school rugby both on and off the field by summoning officials of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) for a meeting today.
The fate of the finals of the President's Trophy knock out tournament between Wesley and St. Peter's scheduled to be held on Saturday July 20 also hangs in the balance.
SLR have been stirred into action after it was reported that Isipathana players and supporters assaulted St. Peter’s players following their 19-14 loss in the President’s Trophy knockout tournament semifinal on Saturday at Royal Sports Complex.
“We have decided to call a meeting with the schools association to find out why there was a lapse in security in tournaments organized by them. We can't turn a blind eye when referees are being attacked and players are being assaulted by spectators. We want to ensure there is proper governance in rugby administration otherwise it will keep away sponsors and spectators from the sport,” said Rizly Ilyas, vice-president of SLR.
SLR has also called for reports from the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR) regarding the assault of referee Priyantha Gunarathne during the St. Joseph’s vs Royal in the final league match of the season and last week’s incident.
SLSRFR secretary Dinka Peiris said it was upto the schools body to submit the report to SLR following the disciplinary inquiry into abuse of matchofficials which resulted in Josephian centre Tharindu Maduranga being slapped a two-year ban. “We heard of some incidents after the Isipathana vs St. Peter’s match but the match officials have no clue about it since they were in the dressing room,” he said.
Nevertheless, SLR president Lasitha Gunaratne has informed the Referees Society that “until a decision is made with regard to the above, no appointing of any referees are allowed for any of the upcoming inter-school rugby matches”.
SLSRFA officials were not available for comment.
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