Bradby Snub: Local Referees & TV Journalist Shanaka Axed from First Leg

Did Dilroy Fernando Inflict SLARFR Its First Blow as Asia Rugby’s New Match Official Manager?

As the first leg of the 78th Bradby Shield clash between Royal College and Trinity College Kandy kicks off in Colombo today, two significant absences will be noticed: match officials from the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees (SLARFR) and long-time rugby commentator Shanaka Amarasinghe from The Papare, who has been covering this prestigious event for over a decade.

The decision by Royal College and its organizing committee to bring in three UAE-based officials while bypassing local referees is widely seen as a retaliatory move in response to Royal College’s recent controversial loss to Isipathana College.

That match ended with a last-minute penalty awarded to Isipathana, sparking heated debates on social media as even Shanaka Amarasinghe’s subsequent explanation of the referee and TMO’s decision, based on World Rugby law (number 10), led to a significant backlash from Royal supporters.

In an unexpected turn of events, Shanaka Amarasinghe, who had been confirmed to cover the first leg of the Bradby Shield for The Papare, was suddenly informed that his services were no longer required. When contacted, Amarasinghe shared, “I received a call from my colleague handling commentary assignments and was told I was no longer needed for the first leg, despite previously confirming the assignment. That’s all there is to say.” His exclusion has raised questions, particularly given his deep expertise and eloquent commentary, which have added significant value to this iconic event over the years.

Strange Bypassing of SLARFR Officials

Meanwhile, South African-born referee Jaco De Wit, along with assistant referees Aqueel Jamaldeen (an Old Royalist) and Clement Isaac (an Old Trinitian), have been selected to officiate in today’s game. 

De Wit is expected to forgo his match fee, as his visit visa to Sri Lanka prohibits him from receiving payment for work during his stay.

Is Dilroy Fernando Settling an Old Score with SLARFR?

Having officiated approximately 20 Bradby Shield encounters himself, Fernando reportedly feels that the current referees in the SLARFR lack the competence to manage today’s match. Notably, four referees from the SLARFR who are part of the Asia Rugby Panel Ishanka Abeykoon, Gihan Yatawara, Ravin Alexander, and Aruna Shantha have been overlooked for this game by Dilroy Fernando who is named as the person responsible for organizing match officials for this encounter.

Meanwhile, in a further surprising move, even the Television Match Official (TMO) duties will be handled by the on-field referee De Wit, despite the availability of qualified match officials in the country who could assist in this role. 

Interestingly, the first-ever TMO appointment in a Bradby Shield encounter, and a first for Sri Lanka Schools Rugby, was made in 2016, with referee Dinka Peiris officiating on field and Vimal Perera serving as the TMO. 

Experienced officials like Anil Jayasinghe, Irshad Cader, Dinka Peiris, and Tony Amit have consistently performed at high levels as TMO’s in the past, yet they too have been bypassed for this significant event.  

Strangely whilst the SLARFR has been shunned, match officials for the junior games and have been appointed by the Referees Society attached to the SLR’s suspended member, the Western Province Rugby Football Association.

The decisions surrounding this year’s Bradby Shield have left many in the rugby community questioning the motives behind these such changes, especially with experienced and competent officials being overlooked for such a significant event in Sri Lanka’s rugby calendar.