- President Ranil Wickremesinghe as current overseer of sports sets a bad precedent, encourages violence, assault and abuse
- Asia Rugby CEO kept waiting for assault inquiry report from Colombo
It has emerged that the inquiry into St. Peter’s College’s Head Rugby Coach Sanath Martis’s assault on a Peterite schoolboy has been delayed and ultimately swept under the rug, reportedly under the alleged direction of the ousted Minister of Sports and now Presidential Advisor on sporting matters, Harin Fernando.
Fernando, who was criticized for his handling of sports during his tenure before being removed from parliament by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, is alleged to have played a key role in stalling the investigation.
There is growing belief that while serving as Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando struck a deal with the now-infamous “Peterite Slapper,” Sanath Martis, to recruit him as the coach for his alma mater, St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, for an undisclosed sum next season. Concerned that Martis could face a lengthy ban from World Rugby due to his repeated assaults, the matter has been shelved by various authorities, including St. Peter’s College, the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, the Ministry of Education, and Director General Dr. Shemal Fernando, who currently oversees Sri Lanka Rugby matters at the Ministry of Sports.
A concerned parent has officially lodged a complaint and sent an email to Director General Shemal Fernando, requesting an inquiry into the incident in Pallekele, Kandy, where the Peterite Head Coach publicly assaulted one of his players on the field following the St. Peter’s vs. Vidyartha College rugby match.
The latest assault, captured on video, quickly went viral and sparked widespread outrage, particularly because this marks the second time Sanath Martis has been caught on camera assaulting a schoolboy rugby player.
In a similar incident in 2019, Martis was filmed assaulting another Peterite player during a practice game between St. Peter’s College and D.S. Senanayake College at Havelock Park. As a result of that incident, Martis, who was a World Rugby-appointed Educator, was suspended for two years.
It was previously reported in the media that Asia Rugby CEO Benjamin Van Rooyen, after viewing the video footage of Martis’ recent assault, instructed that an inquiry should be conducted and a report sent to Asia Rugby for further action by World Rugby.
When a glaring offense committed by a perpetrator is covered up or hushed up by politicians and even the president of the country, it sets a dangerous precedent that erodes the rule of law and undermines public trust in the justice system. This action sends a clear message that those in power can manipulate the legal system to protect their own interests, effectively placing certain individuals above the law. It fosters a culture of impunity, where accountability is selective, and justice is compromised. Such a precedent not only damages the credibility of the government but also emboldens others to commit crimes, knowing that political connections can shield them from the consequences. Ultimately, it weakens the very foundations of a fair and just society, where the principle that no one is above the law is essential for the functioning of democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights.
