The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) is to seek legal advice pertaining to the injunction obtained from the courts by Isipathana to stop the final of Under 20 Milo Trophy inter-school knock-out rugby tournament between St. Peter’s and Royal which was scheduled to be played at the Royal Sports Complex ground on July 23.
Denzil Darling the secretary of the SLSRFA speaking to The Sunday Times said that the issue has become sensitive now and that they are determined to forward their side of the story on the hearing day which has been set aside for August 6.
Denzil Darling |
“We are in the process of taking legal advice from a prominent lawyer whom we have hired. Yesterday we tried our best to come into some conclusive understanding with the Isipathana authorities but unfortunately it did not happen”.
“According to sources we heard that Isipathana was ready for discussions and likewise any discussion between the two parties can be had but without any conditions. The SLSRFA is not bound to agree to any conditions to anyone which is under their umbrella,” stated Darling.
“Any school is under the purview of the Ministry of Education to which they will have to abide. From our side though Isipathana obtained an injunction we have not done anything wrong or illegal. The letter that was distributed to the media on a letter head of the SLSRFA was not legal as it did not bear the signature of the secretary and also the committee was not aware of any decision taken to say sorry to Isipathana. Any course of action to be taken regarding this will be decided after August 6. But we intend taking serious action if the need arises,” said Denzil.
Initially the semi-final match between St. Peter’s and Isipathana came to a halt after some of their supporters began throwing stones when the game was just 30 minutes old.
An effort to restart the match by the officials of the SLSRFA too proved futile which forced them to abandon it. A replay scheduled to be played on July 17 failed to materialize as Isipathana refused to take the field demanding a new match after which the Peterites were awarded the win and progressed to the final.
This followed with the SLSRFA officials alleging that Isipathana used a letter which was sanctioned by the tournament committee to obtain a court injunction. |
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