Mighty rumble in the jungle

They say truth is stranger than fiction. This was the case at the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association Annual General Meeting held at the Sugathadasa Sports Hotel yesterday. Chaos reigned as voting was called for the post of Secretary. The incumbent secretary Kumar Rodrigo stepped down and two candidates were nominated for the post.

The Education Ministry’s Sports Council representative Rohana Karunathilake, looked like a school principal trying to sort out a particularly ugly brawl in the school yard. The situation was not helped by the fact that Rodrigo had left his records behind. Thus chaos ensured as to who was entitled to vote and vice versa. It must be stressed that this was just for one honorary post. The screaming and shouting raged on for nearly an hour before the issue was sorted.

In the ensuing vote, Rohitha Indunil of Carey College defeated Denzil Darling of S. Thomas’ Matara by 34 votes to 24 W. D. O. Wijewansa of Vidyartha Kandy was elected unopposed as the new treasurer, K. D. A. Punyadasa who is the principal of Isipatana assumed the mantle of Senior Vice President.

Prior to the rumble, President Hemantha Premathilake requested those assembled to allow him to step down. He cited personal reasons for this decision. However he added; “I will play some part in the Association. I do not want anyone to think that I am running away from the three major issues that the current administration is facing.” Premathilake was probably referring to three court cases that are pending.

However after the election of the Secretary, Premathilake was urged by many to continue for one more year. He agreed somewhat reluctantly. But he wanted the Executive committee and vice presidents to play a bigger role this year. He added that he would not able to be present every weekend as he still had a lot of personal problems to sort out.

Outlining his plans for this year, Premathilake stressed the importance of taking the game to the outstations. He also said that he wanted to have at least a couple of tournaments for Girls Schools.

Meanwhile the new Secretary Indunil told The Sunday Times the association would go ahead with the preparation of the fixture lists. However he added in conclusion that they would change the fixtures depending on the verdicts given by the respective Courts as obviously any association had to abide by a court ruling.