One sided decision cost Royal says SLSRFA president

The President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) Ranjith Chandrasekere says ‘a one sided decision’ taken by Royal cost them of a place in the annual tournament. Chandrasekere made these comments in a press release issued by the SLSRFA which clarifyies the position of his Association regarding the controversy which saw Royal pulling out of the on going Milo President’s trophy tournament.

Ranjith Chandrasekere said the joint decision taken by Royal and Trinity to postpone the Bradby Shield encounter to July 19 and August 2, instead of the dates which they had agreed with the SLSRFA which was on July 12 and 26 at the start of the season, ultimately went against the defending champions.

In the release he further states that before scheduling the rugby calendar this year the SLSRFA had drawn the attention to the Bradby Shield and had discussed the matter with the Masters-in-Charge of the two schools (Royal & Trinity).

Chandrasekere, who is also the Principal of Kingswood Kandy, points out The SLSRFA had gone ahead after that meeting and scheduled the fixtures of the President’s trophy knock out tournament on August 2 to avoid " all inconvenience not only to the Bradby Shield encounter but to the other important sports events with the approval of the Executive Committee’.

" At this point it is clear that Royal College has neglected its duty and the responsibility and the outcome of their act is cast on the other party " Ranjith Chandrasekere states.

He reveals that when the SLSRFA had inquired from Royal on August 1 whether they were taking part in the President’s trophy rugby tournament the latter had suggested to the former to postpone the tournament by one week.

The SLSRFA had outrightly rejected the request of Royal saying they (SLSRFA) had made all the groundwork for the tournament and they can not bear the cost of organising the tournament once again because eight other schools could be greatly inconvenienced over a postponement.

The Schools Assosiation President says the declaration that Royal makes by stating that they have intentionally been exempted from the President’s trophy tournament is ‘grossly unfair since they have intentionally ignored the above occasions where they could have rid themselves of these inconveniences’.

Ranjith Chandrasekere further states in his release the SLSRFA treats all rugby playing schools big or small equally and it does not care the name or the status of the school as each and every match between two rugby playing schools is as important as the Bradby to the Association.

When contacted by ‘The Island’ the Prefect of Games at Royal Ranjith Senanayake could not be drawn on the issue saying ‘ I do not think it is opportune to get into controversy now as everything that has occurred is all history now’.

(RN)