Weerakkody writes

Reference to our lead story on Saturday under the headline 'National rugby coach quits in disgust', Sri Lanka full back, Nalaka Weerakkody hassent us the following letter clarifying his position.

"I refer to the above article which appeared in the sports page. The contents of the article is incorrect, misleading and seeks to causeirreparable damage to my reputation.

Even though you have not referred to me by name in the first four paragraphs of the news article in question, it is quite clear that the reference to "a senior player of the national pool representing the hill capital team....." is a reference to me.

In addition I am named in the last paragraph of the article in question. In any event, the assersion attributed to George Simpkin is incorrect. Simpkin recently asked me to attend a discussion with Sanjeewa Jayasinghe (Captain) and Jude Pillai (Manager) in order to ascertain as to how the performance of the team could be improved.

As my views were solicited, I conveyed to Simpkin my honest views which perhaps did not please Mr. Simpkin. I also conveyed to him that in my view he was unfairly targeting the Kandy based player possibly due to differences which Simpkin has had with the Kandy Sports Club.

The statements such as "team sources said......" and "sources added....." are patently incorrect in that the incident alleged to have taken place is a figment of someone's imagination and is in fact, as stated above, an utter falsehood.

However at no stage was any threat made to Simpkin in whatever form and if in fact he has so stated, as is reported in the news item in question, it is an absolute falsehood. Jude Pillai and Sanjeewa Jayasinghe who were present throughout the discussion can vouch for the accuracy of my statement.

The news item in question has caused me immense pain of mind and has also caused considerable loss to my reputation both as a person and as a player.

In those circumstances and in the name of justice and fairplay and as I believe that the vast number of readers of the 'Daily News' need be appraised of my position, I would thus request you to publish this letter.

- sgd. Nalaka Weerakkody.

Editorial Note: While honouring Nalaka Weerakkody's right to reply, we would like to present the following facts so that those who are aware of what really transpired, as well as our readers, could find the truth.

1. The article was published for the interest of the rugby loving public who have the right to know a serious incident of this nature. We had no intention of bringing disrepute to Weerakkody, unless he does it on his own.

2. Weerakkody does not see the importance of the story. We believe that it is a serious matter, especially the circumstances under which the national rugby coach had to quit. We stand by our story, which is true and accurate.

3. We only identified the player in question as "a senior player of the national pool representing the hill capital team", neither mentioning Weerakkody's name or his club. His name was stated in the comments made by SLRFU Executive Director Dilroy Fernando.

4. Fernando admitted that coach Simpkin made a verbal complaint on the incident but sates they could not take any action due to the lack of evidence. He also stated that Simpkin did not want to make a written complaint. A professional international coach would not do so for obvious reasons.

5. If there had not been any such incident, why did the SLRFU hold an 'Admin committee' meeting last Friday and discuss the matter? Will a responsible coach like Simpkin, who loved Sri Lanka so much and contributed for the game here immensely, quit just four days before the national team's departure to Hong Kong Sevens if there wasn't any serious problem?