Royal College Union details support extended to injured Rugby player Chamod Kaushalya

Chamod Kaushalya (centre) 

The Royal College Union (RCU) has sent the following statement in response to the Daily FT article titled “Chamod Kavindu: Human cost of college rugby program” published on 16 October (see https://www.ft.lk/sports/Chamod-Kavindu-Human-cost-of-college-rugby-program/23-768045) 

 

At the outset we wish to categorically state that this article is replete with inaccuracies, misleading statements and outright falsehood. Furthermore, neither does this article contain the name of the author nor does it contain the name of the interviewer. This is in keeping with the unethical and poor journalism seen to be adopted by the Daily FT recently, particularly in publishing anonymous articles against Royal College Rugby and its Rugby Coach Dushanth Lewke. 

The article contains statements from A.A. Chamod Kaushalya (referred to as “Chamod” hereon), which were not verified prior to publication. Additionally, the Daily FT has not taken the effort to contact the school or the Rugby Advisory and Management Committee or Coach Lewke for their comments, prior to publication. This follows the trend in recent times of the same publication, acting contrary to all ethics and journalistic standards. 

This article also seems a part of a well-orchestrated media campaign by the Daily FT to discredit both the Royal College Rugby structure and tarnish the image of the coach. Moreover, it is extremely disturbing and regretful to note the vulnerability of an ex-rugby player who had an unfortunate injury on the playing field, being used in order to unjustifiably discredit and tarnish the images of an institution and the coach.

Be that as it may, we the Royal College Rugby Advisory wish to set the record straight regarding this incident.

• Chamod was injured during practice at about 6:30 p.m. on 23 January 2019 while participating in a tackling drill. He was immediately examined by the medical team and was rushed to Lanka Hospitals by ambulance.
• The doctors examined him and diagnosed that there was internal bleeding and informed the Rugby Advisory that immediate surgery was required. The Rugby Advisory undertook to pay all the costs of the surgery and required medical care, as Chamod’s wellbeing was of the utmost importance and paramount.
• The surgery was performed by an eminent neurosurgeon with the assistance of an eminent anaesthetist.
• Chamod then spent 21 days in hospital, from 23 January 2019 to 13 February 2019.
• He was then released from hospital and was readmitted on 3 September 2019 to complete the second step of the procedure.
• He was discharged on 8 September 2019, after spending 5 days in hospital in this instance.
• From the time of the initial surgery, he continuously obtained post-surgery treatment and physiotherapy, etc. as per the instructions of the doctors.
• The total cost for his surgery and treatment was Rs. 1,791,240.50. This would have been substantially higher, if not for the generosity of the neurosurgeon and anaesthetist, who did not charge any professional fees.
• The Rugby Advisory arranged for payment of the medical bills, through a combination of its medical sponsorship scheme from Lanka Hospitals; donations from well-wishers; a GoFundMe campaign; and its own financial resources.
• After Chamod’s initial release from hospital, the Rugby Advisory also provided for the welfare cost of Rs. 243,140.50 to Chamod and his mother S.I. Kumari (referred to as his “mother” from hereon) to meet expenses they claimed.
• The Rugby Advisory, the coaching unit, the entire rugby structure of Royal College and a group of players’ parents and well-wishers were in constant touch with Chamod, his mother, and the doctors and ensured continued wellbeing of Chamod and his mother during this entire period.
• Upon obtaining confirmation on Chamod’s progress from the Royal College medical panel in charge of Rugby, who in turn sought advice from the neurosurgeon, the Rugby Advisory assisted Chamod and his mother to open a joint savings account in their names at Seylan Bank and released the remaining cash lying to his credit, a sum of Rs. 828,839.61 to the joint bank account on 25 September 2020.

The statement at the time from the doctor of the Royal College Medical panel in charge of Rugby to the Rugby Advisory was as follows:

“according to the consultant neurosurgeon in lanka hospital, Chamod has recovered from his brain surgery and he can engage in his studies and to continue the rehabilitation plan as out-patients basis from royal college rugby physiotherapy team”

• Contrary to what was highlighted in the article, prior to this incident, Chamod did not complain of a head knock or nausea, nor did the coaching and medical staff who were present during training witnessed a head knock. Head Knocks are taken very seriously and are dealt in line with concussion protocols.

Source of funds

• As mentioned earlier, funding for all the medical expenses was from a combination of the medical sponsorship for Rugby from Lanka Hospitals, contributions from donors, the GoFundMe campaign and the financial resources of the Rugby Advisory.
• The GoFundMe campaign was an initiative by Royal College Old Boys Association of North America (“RCOBANA”) at the request of the Rugby Advisory for assistance with Chamod’s expenses.
• All funds contributed were paid into the Royal College Rugby Medical Fund bank account at Seylan Bank. Some of the other donors paid directly to Lanka Hospitals on behalf of Chamod. Given below is a summary of the receipts and expenses for the incident.

Summary

In summary, as can be seen from the above, after payment of medical expenses of Rs. 1,791,240.50, payment of welfare expenses to Chamod and his mother of Rs. 242,171.00 and handing over the remaining cash of Rs. 828,839.61, it is extremely difficult to believe that Chamod has provided this interview stating that Royal College has not assisted him with his expenses. This also proves the “Mala Fide” intent of this publication by the Daily FT. Unfortunately, it is in line with a number of preceding articles on Royal Rugby and the school.

It should also be noted that Chamod also regularly came to the grounds when the squad was practicing (as an observer) once he was discharged from hospital on his own accord and was also presented a Bradby Jersey on an honorary basis. Also included are photographs of Chamod at the Bradby award ceremony and with the School’s League Trophy after recovery from the injury in 2019. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that he did not take part in practice or any games at Royal College after his injury.

The above is only an outline of the funding provided through the efforts of the Royal College Rugby Advisory for the incident. In addition to the above, many parents and well-wishers also provided direct support for the welfare of Chamod and his mother during a difficult time for them. The Rugby Advisory is extremely thankful for their generosity and the generosity of the donors who contributed through the committee to meet Chamod’s expenses outlined above.