Rugby match called off as doctor was missing

S M Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr

The schools Under 20 Division two segment ‘B’ rugby tournament match between traditional rivals Sri Rahula College, Katugastota and Sri Sumangala College, Kandy was called off shortly after half time when the official doctor was missing from the venue at the University Grounds, Peradeniya. At the time the match was called off Sri Rahula College were leading 41-3.

The Match Commissioner W D O Wijewansa when contacted said at the commencement of the game the doctor was present in the grounds but somewhere during the match he had gone off without telling anyone.

This was detected when a player was injured during play and their attempts to locate the doctor concerned turned out to be futile. The officiating referee Nalin Wijesinghe refused to continue with the game as he is responsible for injuries or for any untoward incidents within the playing area during the match.

Nalin Wijesinghe in consultation with the Match Commissioner decided to call of the game.