SLRFU and SLSRFA lock horns again
The main governing body of rugby in the country, the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and its affiliate, the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) has been compelled to work together, this occasion by the International Rugby Board (IRB), the Sunday Times learns.
In addition, the local rugby governing body is at a risk of being fined a large sum of up to 10000 Sterling Pounds, for neglecting inquiries made by the IRB on two school rugby players over doping charges. The IRB holds the likelihood to fine SLRFU as Sri Lanka is still within their grace period of two years after three of their national players were banned over doping in 2011.
Lasitha Gunaratne
The IRB, according to sources, has made an inquiry from the SLRFU over the progress and outcome of the two schoolboy ruggerites from D.S. Senanayake College Colombo, who were slapped with bans of six months each, after being found guilty of using banned substances. The incident took place last season, when D.S. Senanayake pushed themselves to record a sensational 23-20 win against Division I Group ‘B’ leaders S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia, a side that remaining unbeaten, winning all their league matches and two traditional games against top group contenders Trinity College and Royal College.
In September 2013, a three-member committee appointed by the National Medicine Unit and headed by Dr. Maiya Gunasekara came to a conclusion that the two players, Devin Ariyakumara and Buddhima Piyaratne, be banned for six months and has recommended stern action against the coach Viraj Prasantha, who endorsed that the drug was used under his knowledge.
According to reports the IRB has been in touch with the SLRFU via emails on this subject but the global rugby body was not promptly updated by the Sri Lankan authorities since the day of the incident. According to insiders certain SLRFU officials had questioned the need of its involvement when claims have been made by the SLSRFA that they are an independent entity. However the SLRFU clearly states that they are responsible for rugby, played at any level, in Sri Lanka
The two factions were engaged in a bitter rivalry over the past few weeks; over ambiguous reasons while both of them claiming their side to be clean. The SLSRFA alleged that a bankrupted SLRFU is on a fiscal hunt and are behind the fortunes of the schools section. On the other hand the SLRFU claims that it had been approached by many stakeholders who have made requests for interference from the national body to systematise the schools section and its competitions.
However the SLRFU, who had overlooked the related matter for almost five months from the date of the incident, has not been spared this time by the IRB as its officer dealing Anti Doping matters had contacted the local authorities via telephone last week.
When the Sunday Times attempted to contact Rizly Illyas, the Secretary of SLRFU he was engaged on an overseas trip but its Vice President Lasitha Gunaratne made himself available to make an official statement.
“Whatever said and done, at the end of the day, the SLRFU is answerable to IRB on rugby related matters be it school, club or other. As all are aware schools are governed by the SLSRFA who claims that they are a totally free faction. But matters pertaining to anti doping
Susantha Mendis
are handled by us as well as development and refereeing. Claims made by our affiliations or other factions are not matters for IRB because they directly contact the SLRFU for clarifications. In this case we are handling what claims to be another’s cub,” Gunaratne said.
According to Gunaratne the SLRFU has sent an email to the SLSRFA seeking its official response and clarifications on the matter of D.S. Senanayake players. The SLRFU had sent the email on Friday pointing out that it expects a response within three working days, as it wishes to report to IRB within the coming week.
When contacted, Susantha Mendis, the Secretary of SLSRFA, told the Sunday Times that they had received an email but are not in a position to make a swift reply.
“We don’t have an office or equipments to make quick responses. But we will reply within three working days as requested by the SLRFU,” Mendis said.
However, certain schools officials suspect if this could be a canny move initiated by the SLRFU, after the ongoing conflict with the SLSRFA was brought to square one with the intervention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who requested authorities of both factions to leave aside clashes and confusions, which were the root cause for SLRFU to ban schools rugby tournaments.