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Lankan flanker forced to give up in his prime
Pavithra says it’s all unclean
By Harry Jayachandra
"I have decided to stop playing for Sri Lanka for two reasons. Firstly I believe the selection process is biased. Secondly and perhaps more importantly I was very disappointed in the inquiry initiated against Nalaka Weerakkody for verbally assaulting a senior player, was handled. To me it appears that it was conveniently swept under the carpet because of the hold the Rugby mafia has on the game," said ace flanker Pavithra Fernando in an interview with The Sunday Times.

Fernando is just 25 years old and at the peak of his career. Many rugby pundits have said that his exit will be a huge loss to the Lankan side. Fernando represented Royal from 1996 to 1999 and more or less went straight into the national side touring Malaysia for a triangular with Thailand. Since then he has been a regular member of the first 15 whenever available.

"I went to Kazakhstan carrying an injury. I had a slipped disc, but I played anyway because I knew the team needed me. In fact when I came back I had to have an operation because that injury had got worse. I play because I love the game and I wanted Sri Lanka to do well. Now with the friction between players and the mafia getting involved in a big way, we will be lucky if we qualify for the Cup at the Rugby Asiad to be staged here later in the year," said Fernando.

He went on to say that finances were a big problem for players. " I agree that most players have gained employment at various institutions through their respective clubs. But what many don't understand is that these guys can never move up in their places of work because we have practices twice a day. Now for example if the Union could pay each of the 30 members in the pool say Rs. 30,000, the club would pay another sum and they would be able to manage. At present if you are single you can afford to play, but once you get married it becomes difficult. I also firmly believe that the Union should put a salary cap on what players can be given by their respective clubs. Now what happens is when a rich club sees a good player, they will pay an exorbitant sum and take him. It is a domino effect as the club that loses that player may find it hard to replace him. Thus the domestic league becomes one sided and predictable," he said.

Fernando added that he would consider donning the national jersey again if the “mafia's” hold was eased and SLRFU put in a definite plan. "I was hoping to represent Sri Lanka at the Rugby World Cup in 2011. If it is planned properly it is an achievable goal. And think of the interest it would generate in Sri Lanka not to mention the revenue. Unlike cricket, there are 70 to 80 countries competing for a place in the World Cup. And just to be there would put Sri Lanka on the World Map.

In addition you would have more and more kids wanting to play rugby. Unfortunately with the present status quo, that is just a pipe dream, which is another reason why, I will not don the jersey. Despite all this I still can hold my place in the national side" said Fernando. In conclusion he stated that he would continue to represent CR & FC for many more years and that he hopes to get into the administration side of things. "I will probably be selected by my club as the representative in the Western Province setup. And from there who knows?" said Fernando.

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