Isipathana Rugby team refrained from playing in '1A' division

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: Colombo District Judge Aruna C. Ranasinghe yesterday issued an enjoining order refraining President and Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association from allowing Isipathana College to play in the "1A" division of the league tournament 2007.

Dhammika Jayantha, a member of Royal College Union Rugby Advisory and Management Committee in his plaint through Attorney G.G. Arulpragasam cited Hemantha Premathilake and Rohitha Indunil the President and the Secretary of the Association as respondents.

Plaintiff pleaded that the Isipathana Rugby team that was submitted to the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association for the 2006 league tournament comprised Artigala Hashan Niroshana Artigala who was ineligible to remain in school.

Plaintiffs pleaded that Artigala sat for the G.C.E. (O/L) Examination twice but failed to qualify for the G.C.E. (A/L) and remain in school.

The Education Ministry confirmed the student was not eligible to remain in school. The plaintiff pleaded the Isipathana College had violated the tournament rules.

The plaintiff stated the association promoted the Isipathana College to play in division 1A wrongfully and unlawfully without disciplinary action in breach of the tournament rules for 2006.

The plaintiff stated the league tournament for 2007 had started from March 2007 and Isipathana College is due to play a match against Royal College on June 02. Case was put off for June 04.

Attorneys Kuera de Soyza and Dilumi de Alwis appeared for the plaintiff instructed by G.G. Arulpragasam.