St. Peter’s claims no fair hearing by SLSRFA

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya authorities broke silence and showed their stance with an official statement by Rector Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo denied media reports and all allegations over fielding an ineligible player during the recently concluded Dialog Schools Rugby League 2022 encounter against Dharmaraja. 

Dharmaraja College lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) regarding a player who had taken part in their season opener against St. Peter’s College. The said player had allegedly failed his G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination twice and had failed to apply for the third attempt in 2022.

Following an investigation carried out by the SLSRFA, a report had been sent to the Education Ministry, which was supposed to hold a hearing and issue a verdict. However, no such verdict had been given by the Ministry. 

The statement from St. Peter’s College read: “Circular No 18/2021 dated 28 September issued by the Ministry of Education permits and makes the student concerned eligible to follow the Advanced Level classes.

“This was conveyed to the SLSRFA on 9 August 2022 in response to a complaint brought to the notice of the school by the SLSRFA. Regrettably, the school has not been given a due hearing, nor has any decision been conveyed to the college with reasons if the SLSRFA held a contrary view.

“Surprisingly, only by an email communicated on 26 August 2022, a day prior to the Under 19 President’s Trophy Knockout.”

According to reliable sources, the lads from the Bambalapitiya school were not given a hearing to put their points forward. Further, the reply was sent by the SSRFA very late on 26 August and the intention of the governing body was to conduct the knockout tournament and finish off the season with no priority given for this case.

Further several attempts were made to contact the Secretary of SLSRFA who showed no response. 

Red card inquiries on Royal players not completed yet

Further, the red card disciplinary inquiry which was supposed to take place soon after the Isipathana game on Royal player Abdullah Yusuf is still pending in the courts of SLSRFA. It is almost 15 days plus after the game was completed and SLSRFA is supposed to meet every Wednesday for the disciplinary inquiry if any. 

Abdullah was part of the Royal outfit for the first leg of the Bradby as no verdict was given by the SLSRFA by then. Any school playing friendly encounters are supposed to take Education and Sports Ministry approval. This was clearly instructed by the SSRFA which both Trinity and Royal obliged with.

The main body SLSRFA for either a friendly, league or knockout should do the inquiry without delays. Referees of the said two matches with CMO have already submitted their findings without any delays.

Even the two red card offences at the Bradby Shield first leg encounter on Calyanaratne and Saparamadhu are pending with the SLSRFA who are expected to give a verdict on 31 August.

The second leg of the Bradby Shield encounter will be played at Pallekele on 3 September.