President pardons Nuwan

Suraj BANDARA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pardoned rugby player Nuwan Hettiarachchi who had been in Navy custody.

Hettiarachchi, a rugby player for Navy Sports Club, was arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy after he was considered a deserter of the Navy. Nuwan Hettiarachchi had also taken part in several international rugby matches representing the national team.

Hettiarachchi who represented Navy in 2009 and 2010 crossed over to Kandy SC this year and played for the club against CH and FC despite having a contract with Navy SC and was arrested by the naval authorities and detained at Welisara Navy Camp.

Hettiarachchi played for Sri Lanka in the Asian five nations tournament against UAE, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Japan in April this year.