- Drama created hours before all important tournament decider between St.Peter’s vs Isipathana.
- Isipathana to play under protest if request is not met.
Authorities at Isipathana College have taken the proactive step of submitting an official letter to K.K.P. Ariyasinghe, President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, with a copy sent to Dinka Peiris, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees. This letter specifically requests the replacement of the appointed referee, Gihan Yatawara, for the decisive final match against St. Peter’s College scheduled to be played this evening at Havelock Park.
This request highlights the intensity and significance of the match, which will determine the league’s outcome. The decision to call for a change in the referee suggests that Isipathana College may have concerns regarding the impartiality or previous experiences with the appointed official. The outcome of this request could have a notable influence on the match, making it a crucial development in the lead-up to the game.
The letter did not specifically request for any referee in particular but only indicated that referee Yatawara be changed.
The President of the SLSRFA K.K.P Ariyasinghe officially informed Dinka Peiris the President of the SLARFR by letter dated 16th August 2024, requesting that the change be made.
See letter below in Sinhala.
The letter translated into English reads
President,
Sri Lanka Rugby Football Referee Association,
Torrington Place,
Colombo.
16.08.2024
Deployment of Referees for the Final Matches of the Inter-School Dialogue League
At this moment, I fondly recall the invaluable support you extended to the association by rendering
impartial decisions and officiating the matches during the Inter-School Dialogue League. Additionally,
two crucial matches are scheduled to be held on 16th August 2024 at Sugathadasa Stadium and
Havelock Grounds.
I have come to know that the Referee Assignment Committee of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby
Football Association has not been informed about the deployment of referees for these matches.
Also, we have received a letter of protest through Isipathana Vidyalaya regarding the referee Gihan
Yatawara who is being used in the match held at the Havelock Sports Ground. Paying attention to the
existing situation, I would like to kindly inform that arrangements be made for another referee to be
deployed, with the agreement of the Referee Assignment Committee of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby
Football Association
The Morning Telegraph made several attempts to contact Dinka Peiris the President of the SLARFR for a comment regarding this matter, but was unable to contact him at the time of publishing this article.
The World Rugby rule book states that the Tournament Organizers will be those that will appoint the Match Officials. However if the current Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association organized league tournament is sanctioned by Sri Lanka Rugby, then they ought to follow suit.
But the fact of the matter is that the SLSRFA Tournament Rule Book states that ” The Referee is appointed by the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees. SLSRFA is always keen to have and request SLSRFRto appoint impartial match officials for the matches.”
Hence perhaps that’s why the President of the SLSRFA has made this request to Dinka Peiris the President of the SLSRFR.
Sri Lanka Rugby has been placed under the direct supervision of Prof. Shemal Fernando, Director General of Sports, following the suspension of SLR by a Gazette Notification issued by the recently ousted Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, on May 29, 2024. It remains to be seen whether Prof. Fernando will step in to address this issue as a final measure.
