Sevens manhandling of referee going a begging

The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has appointed a committee headed by former national player Ibrahim Hamid to probe over the incident where Rohitha Rajapaksa and Chula Susantha have been involved in physical and verbal abuse of a referee. The committee which also includes General Krishnaratne and Saliya Udugama, as an opening to the inquiry has called for explanations of those concerned and given them a grace period of two weeks to reply.

The incident of abuse took place on May 4 at Havelock Park, soon after the Inter-Club Rugby Sevens Plate semi-final match which Navy Sports Club lost to Police Sports Club.

The President of SLRFU, Asanga Seneviratne in an interview with ‘BBC Sandeshaya’ was quoted as saying that he doesn’t think an assault took place. Seneviratne noting that he thinks only an unnecessary verbal exchange took place went on to say that the incident needs to be probed further.

SLRFU's Secretary Rizly Illiyas is also quoted by ‘BBC Sandeshaya’ saying as; “media reports claiming that Rohitha Rajapaksa has been suspended are false and investigations are underway”. Illiyas clarified that the SLRFU had requested the Navy SC team to avoid naming Rohitha Rajapaksa for forthcoming games or tournaments until the probe is over.

Meanwhile the SLRFU council met in an emergency session on May 15 to discuss the issues relating to the abuse of a referee on May 5.

Sources close to SLRFU confirmed that the issue was at a stalemate. The SLRFU appointed a committee headed by Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, General Krishnaratne and Colonel Saliya Udugama as members to inquire into this issue.

However learns that Dr. Gunasekera and a subsequent appointee, Dr. Indrajith Cumaraswamy had not accepted the appointments on the ground that a Disciplinary Committee of the SLRFU already exists to inquire into this matter.

The council had met on May 22 to discuss the issue again.

It has also been noted that some vociferous members of the council have conveniently made themselves not available for the emergency meeting while some kept away on May 22. Reliable information corroborates that members have asked whether there was an incident on May 5, while others had said that this was a minor issue.

It is understood that the referees’ society was not represented at the council meeting on May 22, which former stalwarts believe is a clear indication of a loss of faith.