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| Friday, 23 April 2004 |
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Susanthika, Sugath on the block? By Dinesh Weerawansa Disciplinary inquiries are under way against two of Sri Lanka's leading athletes Susanthika Jayasinghe and Sugath Tillakaratne, who have been allegedly involved in unruly behaviour during the 9th South Asian Games in Pakistan early this month. National Olympic Committee has taken Tillakaratne to task while the inquiry against Jayasinghe is handled by the Athletic Association. Former Asian Games 400m gold medallist, Sugath Tillakaratne could face a possible ban if he is found guilty at a disciplinary inquiry to be conducted by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC). Tillakaratne, who took part at the recent 9th South Asian Games, has been reported for allegedly abusing a lady doctor in the Sri Lanka contingent for not attending to his medical needs. The NOC has decided to take disciplinary action against the ace male sprinter for his reported behaviour in Islamabad. A three-member committee has been appointed to look into the complaint against Tillakaratne. Meanwhile, Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) has appointed a one-member committee to look into the allegations against Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe during the Games. Twenty eight-year-old Jayasinghe, who was the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent for the eight-nation Games in Islamabad earlier this month, has been accused of allegedly confronting with top team officials over the selection of players for Men's 4 x 100m relay. She was reported to have had a heated exchange of words with a top most official of the athletic team. Manager of the Sri Lanka athletic team, Brigadier Parry Liyanage has submitted a report on the undisciplined behaviour of athletes during the Games and the report also has recommended disciplinary action against Jayasinghe. Former athlete, DIG Premila Divakara has been appointed to the one-member committee, which would look into the allegations against the star woman sprinter. Despite winning 12 of 15 gold medals won by the Sri Lanka contingent, athletes have been accused of misbehaving during the Games. There have been serious problems in the Sri Lanka athletic team over selections and various other differences and the officials and athletes were accusing each other in public. Following the problems between the athletes and officials, the AASL has decided to make a fresh appointment for the post of Manager for the Olympics. AASL President Sunil Jayaweera has been appointed by the ex-co unanimously for the post of Manager. The NOC was also accused two other leading officials of the athletic team for not sending athletes home early after they had completed their respective events. However, captain of the Sri Lanka athletic team, Rohan Pradeep Kumara had showed exemplary conduct during the Games. The former Sri Lanka Navy sprinter led from front with three gold medals, the best performance by the 280-member Sri Lanka contingent for the Games. Though the AASL recommended Pradeep Kumara for the overall captaincy of the Sri Lanka team, the NOC preferred Jayasinghe for the job. Jayasinghe has already qualified to run in women's 100m at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. |
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