- 2nd Leg of 78th Bradby Shield encounter takes place in Pallekele, Kandy this evening
- Local referees continue to be snubbed for last-minute match-winning call against Royal College in Isipathana clash
The Bradby Shield, the iconic rugby clash between Royal College and Trinity College, has long been considered the premier event in Sri Lankan school rugby. Spanning 78 years, this two-leg encounter draws not only the schools’ supporters but also the attention of rugby enthusiasts across the nation. While players, coaches, sponsors, and spectators all contribute to the spectacle, this year, the spotlight has shifted to a new source of controversy: the match officials.
For years, referees from the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees (SLARFR) have handled this prestigious contest. But in an unexpected move, the organizers decided that these local referees were not fit to officiate the match this year. This decision caused a stir in the rugby community. Even Shanaka Amarasinghe, one of the country’s most respected television rugby commentators, was unceremoniously removed from his role for the first leg, despite having his assignment confirmed just a week earlier.
This entire decision was largely believed to have manifested after Royal suffered a nerve tingling loss to Isipathana a few weeks earlier when on field referee Ishanka Abeykoon consulted the Television Match Official Dinka Peiris and awarded a match winning penalty to Isipatahana. Television Commentator and journalist Shanaka Amarasinghe subsequently explained the reason behind the referee’s decision in a video presentation which was accepted by a majority of viewers, but was quite expectedly criticized by many of the Royal College viewers.
The introduction of foreign referees has ignited debate, particularly across social media platforms. Since the Bradby Shield is a private event, Royal and Trinity have the freedom to decide how it is run. However, this decision comes against a backdrop of turmoil in Sri Lanka rugby, with the national governing body, Sri Lanka Rugby, currently suspended due to political interference. Control over the sport now rests with the Ministry of Sports, directed by Dr. Shemal Fernando, who was appointed by former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando.
Two prominent figures, Asanga Seneviratne and Dilroy Fernando, both former presidents of Sri Lanka Rugby and the Referees Association respectively, now hold influential roles within Asia Rugby. Their connection with former Minister of Sports MP Namal Rajapaksa and Asia Rugby President Qais Abdallah Al-Dhalai is widely regarded as a major factor in the decline of Sri Lanka Rugby, fueling rumors of power struggles and internal conflicts that have destabilized the sport.
Dilroy Fernando, now Asia Rugby’s Match Official Manager, made a decisive move by bringing in three referees from the UAE to officiate the first leg of the Bradby Shield in Colombo. Their officiating was praised for keeping the game smooth, with few interruptions and no disciplinary cards handed out. However, upon review, glaring errors were identified in the match footage with errors that may have affected the outcome of the game.
Despite this, there was little criticism from the Trinity side, who were satisfied with their victory, and the Royal commentators also remained silent, since many of their team’s mistakes went unpunished.
Subsequently, a match official who was involved in officiating the game even commented, “We ignored the technicalities to provide a spectacle,” which went on to spark outrage on social media, with some ven calling it a “joke.”
As the second leg approaches, officials at Trinity College the host have also opted to bring in foreign referees, this time led by Australian referee Bradley John Hudson, with two assistant referees who are alumni of both schools. The expectation is that these officials will continue with the same approach as seen in the first leg, prioritizing the delivery of a thrilling spectacle for the audience’s entertainment.
While the Bradby Shield organizers deemed local referees unfit to deliver a ‘Bradby spectacle,’ Asia Rugby has recognized the competence of referees from the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees (SLARFR). Despite Royal College and Trinity College rejecting officials like Ishanka and Gihan Yatawara, both referees are now receiving prestigious international appointments. Ishanka is currently officiating in the Asia 7’s series in Korea and will continue in China the following week for the same competition. Similarly, Gihan Yatawara has been selected to officiate at an Asia Rugby Tournament in Malaysia at the end of September. Additionally, Referee Aruna Shantha will join Gihan Yatawara on this tour, likely participating in the U18 Asia Rugby Tournament in Nepal. Representing Sri Lanka, Raveen Alexander will also be part of these upcoming tournaments. These international appointments reflect the high regard Asia Rugby holds for SLARFR officials, which should be a source of pride for Sri Lanka.
As Sri Lankan rugby reaches one of its lowest points, this year’s Bradby Shield has unveiled deeper issues within the sport. Behind-the-scenes decisions now seem to have as much influence on the outcome as the on-field play, with the event increasingly shaped by what is being referred to as the “Bradby Spectacle.” In this context, match officials appear to be prioritizing entertainment over adherence to the rulebook, further highlighting the extent to which external pressures are driving the game.
