SLRFU to take up referee assault incident
The involvement of Navy player Rohitha Rajapaksa in an altercation with a referee during the Inter-Club Rugby Sevens Championship at Havelock Park last Sunday has prompted calls for resolute action to support referee authority in the face of intimidation.
The Sunday Times inquired from Rohitha’s brother Yoshitha who was present when the incident took place. He said “You will have to ask about the incident from my brother and not me”.
Rohitha is the technical adviser of the Science College rugby team.
The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President Asanga Seneviratne as well as most council members and the Chairman of its Disciplinary Committee were also present at the ground when the incident occurred.
Lasitha Gunaratne a vice president of the SLRFU said “We did not discuss the incident because some of the council members were overseas last week. But, we intend taking up the matter on Monday”.
Dimithri Gunasekera is the referee connected with the matter.
Meanwhile the Rugby Referee’s society chief Orville Fernando told the Sunday Times “Referees Society will proceed with the matter after their meeting with the SLRFU next week.
“ He also added “We are hoping to file a complaint after seriously investigating into the matter with the SLRFU officials. We are also informed that the coach of the Navy team also had a hand in the incident. We will have to probe into that angle too. If it is proven we will have to make report against the coach also.”
Experts of the game – mostly past national players who have held high positions at the SLRFU in the past – allege that the governors are passing the buck and avoiding taking action on the matter.
They point out that manhandling a referee invites a penalty ranging from a 24-week suspension to a life ban and that the issue will undermine referee morale at a time when few people are choosing to become a referee.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus