Sports Minister to conduct inquiry over sexual harassment of Visakha
waterpolo team
by Leslie FERNANDO
SWIMMING: The Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge
in an interview with Sunday Observer said that he would take a strong
stance over the sexual harassment of Visakha Vidyalaya waterpolo team by
Sri Lanka Air Force women’s team. Minister Lokuge said that he would
appoint a leading lady principal of a school to inquire into this
incident.
“I have received several complaints regarding this incident”,
Minister Lokuge said.
“Furthermore I have also received complaints from Bishop’s College
regarding the behaviour of Sri Lanka Air Force women’s waterpolo team in
their match.
“Such incidents cannot be condoned with, Minister Lokuge said. Though
a hue and cry is being done regarding the conduct of Air Force women’s
waterpolo team, the referee at the two matches - that’s Air Force vs
Visakha Vidyalaya and Air Force vs Bishop’s College did not have the
occasion to find fault with the Air Force women’s waterpolo team for
alleged unbecoming behaviour at the two matches.
The referee did not pull-up the Air Force players for any excessive
fouling during the matches.
Incidentally after the matches there were no complaints lodged with
the referees S.M. Ranasinghe and Devaka Thabrew.
Knowledgeable sources are questioning the motive behind this matter
as the referees did not pull up any of the Sri Lanka Air Force women’s
players during the final played at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool on
November 13.
Asked why the Minister has still not taken measures to gazette the
new Interim Committee headed by Minister of Agriculture, Maithripala
Sirisena, he insisted that till the inquiry is held on the above sexual
harassment charge it will not be gazetted.
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