Dr. Geethanjan heads probe committee

Suspension of Martial Arts:

The Ministry of Education yesterday appointed a committee headed by Dr. Geethanjan Mendis to look into the crisis regarding the suspension of all sporting events and coaching sessions involving Martial Arts in schools.

Dr. Geethanjan Mendis is expected to provide a report within the next two week’s which will lead to the lifting of the ban on six Martial Arts Sports namely boxing, wrestling, karate, judo, taekwondo and wushu.

The Ministry of Education earlier decided suspend these sporting events and coaching sessions in schools following the unfortunate death of Pasindu Jayawickrema of D. S. Senanayake College who passed away after suffering severe head injuries during an inter school wushu tournament worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Jayawickrema suffered this blow while competing in the weight class of 48-52 kgs category. This was in fact the second time where a schoolboy had become a victim of this nature and in the same sport.

Earlier a schoolboy from Baduraliya MV suffered the same fate while participating in a wushu tournament.