IRB suspends Kasun de Silva for two years

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has suspended CR and FC's flanker Kasun De Silva for two years pending an inquiry. This was revealed to The Sunday Times by President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Nimal Lewke.

He added: "The IRB has conveyed their decision and we have no option but to enforce it. However, the player and his manager have submitted a letter which we will be forwarding to the IRB. In the letter De Silva has stated that he had gone for a party and taken a few puffs unknowingly. Speaking as a policeman, had De Silva been caught in the act he would have been punished accordingly for possession and using the substance concerned as it is against the law in Sri Lanka. But speaking as a sportsman, De Silva did not intentionally take this substance to enhance his performance. Unlike other sports men and women this substance is not a steroid. But I agree that as a professional sportsman he should know better and until the IRB tells us otherwise, we have to enforce the punishment. Lewke said: "Prior to the Asiad there were various rumours flying around about doping in rugby. This is why I had to convince the IRB to come down and supervise the tests. The IRB also paid for the tests as each test costs around US$250. We have now decided to have programs at both club and school level to educate everyone on doping and the consequences of it."

Well known sports physician Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema when contacted said; "The player can appeal. De Silva has admitted to taking this substance albeit accidently. As a result a 'B' sample is unnecessary. But De Silva can appeal on several grounds including the fact that this is his first offence, it was not taken to enhance his performance etc. Under the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) convention, The IRB will hear the player's reason. Then submit it to their judiciary committee who will in turn take a decision send it to the IRB. The IRB will then send that decision to the SLRFU. However, even after that the player can lodge another appeal. At the South Asian Games the Pakistani boxers tested positive for the same substance. Following an appeal by them their sentence was reduced to six months which is the minimum for a first offence. But it does mean that the player will not be able to have anything to do with rugby until his sentence is served."

Meanwhile training for the Under 20 Squad is in full gear. The Youth Asiad gets underway in Brunei on December 14. Lewke said he was happy with what he saw and that he had asked national coach Rob Yule to help out the two local coaches Ananda Kasthuriarachchi and Sanath Martis.

The squad has been pruned down to 31. Martis said: "Mentally all the lads are geared. Physically there were a few minor injuries. But the injuries have not interfered with our training regimen in any way."