Withanage ban to continue

Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) sources said that the Provincial High Court of Colombo on Friday extended the Stay Order issued against Chamara Withanage till May 14, 2008. Thus Withanage will not be able to participate in any tournaments till then. This was the case where Withanage is alleged to have assaulted Referee Pradeep Fernando in front of eye witnesses after the Trinity versus Kingswood Schools Rugby encounter. The SLRFU’s Disciplinary inquiry found Withanage guilty of violating the IRB Code of conduct.

When the case came up on Friday Withanage was not present in Court for a second time neither was he represented by a Lawyer. Thus the matter was accordingly fixed for inquiry in May. Dinal Philips with Ranil Prematilleke, Attorneys-at-Law instructed by D.L. and F De Saram appeared for SLRFU. The case came up before Judges Upali Abeyratne and Iranganie Perera.