Suspension of Vithanage - a good lesson for all

By Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: The two-year suspension imposed on Sri Lanka's 7's captain and Kandy Sports Club's "star" centre Chamara Vithanage, is a "good lesson" for any person. He cannot get involved in any aspect of the game during this period.

National players or otherwise, players (both club and school), must learn to accept defeat and abide by the decisions of the referee. You cannot expect to assault an official and get away scot free. Particularly, national players must set an example for youngsters to follow and not act like hooligans" was the opinion of numerous rugby officials at both clubs and schools, sponsors and even spectators, who said that discipline must be maintained at any cost.

Vithanage was found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) comprising SSP T. M. N. Hameed, Brigadier (Rtd) Jupana Jayawardene and Brigadier Sally of assaulting referee Pradeep Fernando after the schools game between Trinity and Kingswood at the Pallakelle Stadium on June 2. Fernando was injured and even hospitalised.

The Disciplinary Committee recommended a two-year suspension on Vithanage to the SLRFU Council, who ratified the sentence at a meeting on June 27.

The Disciplinary Committee met on June 13 and 14 after Vithanage sent a medical certificate stating his inability to attend an injury on June 6.

A few years back, a Fijian player turning out for the CR & FC in a Caltex League Championship game against Havelocks at "The Park" assaulted referee Aruna Jayasekera and was suspended by the International Rugby Board (IRB) for a period of three years.