Kandy and Havies should settle matters amicably

Jaleel

Former Royal Captain, Havelocks SC player, Sri Lankan Sevens star and present Kandy SC player Shehan Pathirana was brought into the limelight in an unwanted manner recently on his club contract.

This matter could have easily been sorted out at club level by Havies rather than taking matters to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU).

Havies lodged a complaint stating that Pathirana was under contract with the Park club till the end of 2015, after representing Kandy in the second half of the game against CR&FC. The SLRFU appointed a disciplinary committee under SSP Ibrahim Hameed to look into matters. At the first inquiry there was no decision made since both Shehan and Havies could not provide documentary proof. As the player was not proven guilty in any sports, he or she cannot be suspended. Later on, Kandy SC wrote back to the SLRFU with their valid points as the player was not paid during the later period of his contract while the contract ended in 2015 and the player cannot be stopped from playing for another club. The SLRFU disciplinary committee withdrew the case and permitted Shehan to play for Kandy in future games (starting from the Havies encounter on 2 January). Under this green light Shehan represented Kandy in the tense game where Kandy not only won but also remained unbeaten in the league as well. Further, an SLRFU email went on to say: “Shehan playing for Kandy against CR&FC while the contract was on will be taken up on 8 January.”

Kandy SC Rugby Chairman Lasantha Wijesuriya stated: “Havies have violated Shehan’s contract as they have not paid him fully. Further, we have given notice both to Havies and SLRFU that he will be playing for Kandy about three months ago. If Havies looked after him, he wouldn’t have come to us. Further, we look after our players as per the contract whether they play or are on the injury list. They get injured by not going for war but playing matches for the club,” he ended.

The Havelocks SC Secretary Romesh Abeywickrema stated: “Let’s wait for the final outcome on 8 January. After that, we will tell our side of the story. As a club policy, since the inquiry is still on, I do not want to comment.”