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Sports

Rugby accounts not abused
By Rangi Akbar
Sajith Mallikarachchi of Kandy will lead Sri Lanka in the Rugby World Cup 2007 qualifying tournament game against Thailand on June 4 at Suphanburi, Bangkok, Thailand. His name has been sent to the Sports Ministry for ratification. The rest of the squad too has been sent for ministry approval and will be announced in a day or two, said Priyantha Ekanayake, President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) whilst addressing a press briefing at the CH&FC Pavilion yesterday.

The second match in the competition against Singapore will take place in Colombo on June 25 at the CR&FC Grounds, Colombo 7. The official sponsor for the Sri Lanka team will be Singer Sri Lanka Limited. The national coach will be New Zealander George Simpkin, Assistant National Coach - C.P. Abeygunawardena and Manager - Sqn. Ldr. Sanjaya Fernando

The key issue regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs. 7.5 million by the previous management headed by Mohan Balasuriya, the former Trinity, CR, Air Force and Ceylon hooker turned out to be a damp squib.

"The accounts were not given a good picture. They were never made simple enough for the layman to understand. The accounts should have been presented in a simple way," explained Ex-Co members at the press briefing. It was pointed out that the funds were spent on development, foreign tours, referees expenses etc and the Ex-Co of the SLRFU had decided unanimously to adopt the accounts. The proposal was made by Kumar Abeywardena and was seconded by Arjun Dharmadasa.

The SLRFU also decided to bring to the notice of the press the outstanding achievements of two Sri Lankans in the field of rugby. Dilip Kumar Balaratnam, a former Trinity Athletic Lion and resident of Watapuluwa Housing Scheme, Kandy has been made Chairman of the Australian Rugby Union. A felicitation ceremony has been arranged by Sri Lankans living in Australia in his honour on June 6 and the proceeds are to be sent to the those affected by the December 26, 2004 tsunami.

Neil Wijeratne, the sports scribe, has been nominated to the International Rugby Board (IRB) Hall of Fame Screening Committee for his contributions. When The Sunday Times contacted Wijeratne, he was full of smiles and was overjoyed by the selection.

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