The Rugby Interim Committee, managed to weather a storm created by the Society for Rugby Referees in Sri Lanka (SRRSL) by finding a referee to officiate in the Kandy SC vs Army SC match, which was a doubtful starter due to a boycott of matches by rugby referees.

The SRRSL has decided to refrain from assigning matches to members on the grounds that the SL Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has withheld payments to referees.

Rugby Interim Committee Secretary Kiran Atapattu told ‘Sunday Island’ that the SLRFU, under the instructions of the Sports and Public Recreation Minister, has taken a decision to stop recognising the referees’ society as a sports body.

"The SLRFU will recruit referees for matches and pay them directly. The referees’ society is trying to sabotage matches and will not allow this. Refereeing is a voluntary job and its bad that people are trying to make it a business," said Atapattu.

Atapattu added that payments to referees had been suspended till they submitted reports of matches to the SLRFU.

"We have also asked for the grading of referees and the referees’ society hasn’t sent the grading of referees for 2008 and ’09," Atapattu said.

SRRSL’s Dilroy Fernando said that referees were officiating in a professional era and added they needed to be paid a professional fee, just like professionals engaged in other jobs.

"We will consider taking legal assistance on the matter if outstanding payments to referees aren’t cleared by the SLRFU," said Fernando.

According to Atapattu, yesterday’s match was refereed by Priyantha Gunerate (who is a member of the SRRSL) following a request made by the Rugby Interim Committee.

Fernando said that disciplinary action would be taken by the SRRSL against Guneratne for not complying with the referees’ society decision to carryout a boycott of matches.