Ananda ruggerites assaulted, two in critical condition

by S.M. Jiffry Abdeen Kandy Sports Corr.

RUGBY VIOLENCE: The total number of Ananda ruggerites who were injured in the post match incident has risen to six after their William Gopallawa rugby match against Vidyartha at the Nittawela Stadium in Kandy yesterday.

All six ruggerites have been warded at Kandy General Hospital and the condition of two of them is said to be critical.

The injured ruggerites are Udara Suriyapperuma, Thusith Fonseka, Lahiru Gunasinghe, Sanjay Dananjaya, Amith Nuwan and Skipper Gayan Fernando.

Amith Nuwan has sustained internal rib injuries while Gayan Fernando is having internal head injuries after he collapsed on the ground following assault by spectators with sticks and umbrellas.

Besides this six players a few others also sustained minor injuries.

The Vice President of Ananda College Rugby Football Committee Swarna Ranasinghe who accompanied confirmed the names of the ruggerites.

The police post at Kandy General Hospital has commenced investigations on this spectator violence and has appealed for information to apprehend the offenders with a view of bringing them before the law.

When referee Aruna Rankothge blew no side, a section of the spectators invaded the field and set upon the unarmed Ananda College ruggerites, who lay on the grounds and crying in pain, Vidyartha College officials tried their best to intervene but they were out numbered.

There were no policemen present in the ground to apprehend the culprits and only peak capped security guards who presented a sorry picture as they could hardly do anything.

This spectator violence was uncalled as it was a clean game and there was no unwarranted play.

The last 20 minutes of the match was played in semi darkness with players finding it difficult under muddy conditions.

It is still not clear why the spectators took the law into their hands and they should hang their heads in shame.