Kasun's suspension may not be reduced

By Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: Kasun de Silva the CR & FC flanker, who turned out for Sri Lanka at last month's Singer Rugby Asiad in Colombo, had admitted that he smoked a "joint" (cannabis) at a party after the International Rugby Board (IRB) had carried out random tests and found that he (De Silva) had taken a banned substance. Consequently, De Silva, was suspended for two years by the IRB pending an inquiry.

A spokesman for the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) told the Sunday Observer that as Kasun de Silva had admitted taking cannabis (a banned substance) it is very unlikely that his sentence will be reduced.

The IRB supervised these random tests and even paid US Dollars 250 for each test.

"Kasun de Silva and his manager at CR & FC (Rohan Chinthaka) had submitted a letter which has been forwarded to the IRB and had stated that he had taken a "few puffs" unknowingly", said the SLRFU spokesman.

Cannabis is banned, but is not a steroid to enhance one's performance.

The SLRFU spokesman further said that Kasun de Silva can make an appeal to the IRB who in turn will submit it to their Judiciary Committee who will then take a decision and inform the IRB. The IRB in turn will inform the SLRFU. Even then, the player could make another appeal.