Wesley, St. Anthony’s and Vidyartha are demoted
Trinity and Isipathana promoted to schools top rugby division
By M. Shamil Amit
Three schools Wesley and St Anthony’s from Group ‘A’ and Vidyartha in Group ‘B’ have been demoted on a decision taken by the disciplinary committee of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association (SLSRA). Wesley and St Anthony’s have been demoted to Group ‘B’ while Vidyartha has been demoted to Group ‘C’.
Trinity who ended as leaders of Group ‘B’ and Isipathana who had undergone tremendous pressure during the latter part of the schools rugby season last year clearing all the hurdles, have been promoted to the top division this season.
The decision taken on Wesley was for fielding a player who had not sat the GCE O’Level the second time which is against the stipulated rules of the SLSRA and the decision taken against St. Anthony’s was regarding the captain of the rugby team who though was qualified to play for the school was deemed to have taken his school leaving certificates and had registered to enter the University.
Twisted turn
An official of the SLSRA stated that the two cases were proved beyond doubt but in a twisted turn of events Isipathana who too had a player who was not liable to play for the team has been by passed with the official saying that according to the circular issued to them by the Education Department states categorically that the boy is liable to remain in school.
When inquired of the court decision given to the said student, the official said:
“We are going according to the circular that we have been issued. No one has informed us regarding the court decision to which we cannot take any decisions.”
In the case of Vidyartha, the school was suspended for the incident which occurred in their rugby encounter against Ananda where many players were injured.
The official said though this was not a tournament match any school that plays rugby is under the umbrella of the SLSRA so they play according to the rules and regulations set by the SLSRA or otherwise anyone could do a bigger damage for which the SLRSA cannot turn a blind eye.
There were also allegations against the captain of the Ananda rugby team who is said to be not liable to play for the team. The official on inquiry said that no one had officially sent any protest regarding the matter but there is speculation that a protest is to be sent.
When the Daily Mirror contacted the two schools - Wesley and St Anthony’s - for their views on the decision taken by the SLRSA, the two schools were contemplating on taking court action.
According to an official from Wesley College, the player concerned is said to have been injured and that they are in possession of the medical certificate for that period. Meanwhile an official of St. Anthony’s stated that that they are going to courts for the biased decision taken by the disciplinary committee without a proper hearing.
With the GCE ‘A’ Level exam due to start in August the SLSRA is getting geared up to conduct the Singer rugby league tournament this year between late April and early June and the Milo President’s knockout trophy from late June and to be completed by end of July. Nevertheless the new inter-school rugby season is going to be ushered with a lot of suspense.
