Right of Reply
View(s):Dear Sir
Article written by M. Shamil Amit in the Sunday Times- Sports Page 25- of May 20, titled “Royal Huff and Puff but escape in a cliffhanger”
With the approval of the SLSRFR President, I, as the Match Referee of the Wesley vs Royal match played on May 19, at the CR&FC grounds, wish to make a correction to what was published in the aforesaid article, which is misleading the public by his biased report. Further, there is a misinterpretation of the facts of the incident.
Incidentally, we understand Mr. Amit is an old boy of Wesley College.
The Corrections to Paras 3 and 4 of his article is found below. A separate report with more details, will be submitted to the SLSRFR Secretary Mr. Wijerama, who was the Match Commissioner of the said match.
His Article- Para 3- states “Referee Dinka Peiris, who officiated, made a mess of the match and, being an experienced campaigner, he stopped the match for nearly 8 minutes in the second half, citing that the spectators were hooting and casting remarks, and also refused to come onto the playing field”.
“This is a totally misleading article carried in that newspaper, who we assume, he was not aware of the actual incident or, the reason I stopped (as writer stated). I did not stop the game, it was a temporary stoppage in the second half in the 25th min and 30th sec. My Assistant Referee Mr. H. P. Weeranga informed me that he can’t continue his duties, as supporters of Wesley College are entering the playing field, threatening him and using abusive language towards him and at me. I immediately called time off and put the two teams to a side and consulted the Match Commissioner Mr. Wijerama, who advised me to stop the game on a temporary basis, until he sorts out the matter in question.”
“In World Rugby, Guidelines and Laws are quite clear where spectators have no right to enter the playing field. Even for Team officials, Reserves, technical zone (max of 4 people), Match Commissioner, Sub officials have to remain in the area marked/authorised them to remain. The match was not stopped for hooting and castings remarks as stated in the writer’s article. The stoppage was purely on the safety of Match officials and players, and for the concern that spectators were entering the playing field arbitrarily, threatening the Assistant Referee and using abusive language. While the match was stopped due to the above incident, a Wesley Rugby Committee member (later identified, wearing a light blue T-shirt and cap) made a comment at me in front of the Match Commissioner, which was totally unacceptable. I along with the Match Commissioner decided to further extend the stoppage. Wesley Rugby Master-in-Charge Mr. Bandara, along with a few of the Wesley Rugby Committee Members apologised for the conduct, and requested me to start the game, while assuring us the full security will be provided to the match officials. After consulting my fellow match officials, the Match Commissioner and I decided to re-commence the match for the remaining playing time of 9 min and 30 sec. Before that, I summoned the two captains and briefed them on the incident, while impressing that it’s totally the captains’ responsibility to keep the game at the highest levels of discipline, which was there till the stoppage, and warned that, in the event of any further disruptions, either by players or officials, necessary action will be taken.”
In the same article, Para 4, 4th line states, “chairs being thrown and the Touch Judges were manhandled for the big mistake done by the Referee”
As in World Rugby, ARFU, SLR & for SLSRFA games, there are no Touch Judges, it’s only Assistant Referee’s. This was in effect for many years in Rugby. A duty of an Assistant Referee to that of a Touch Judge is big different. I hereby state that, none of the Assistant Referee’s (as per writer’s Touch Judges) were manhandled. It’s totally wrong and, I say, as assured, we were given security by the Wesley Rugby Committee members, which we felt was insufficient. While we walked back, a few supporters of Wesley College, tried to approach us and made harsh, life threatening comments. However, none of us were manhandled. I request that the same prominence is given by publishing the facts that I have mentioned.
Dinka Peiris
Match Referee
World Rugby accredited Level 3 – Match officials
World Rugby accredited Level 1 – Coach of Match officials
Secretary of SLSRFR