Medical tests for ruggerites

The Kandy SC rugby players who have withdrawn from the 24 member Sri Lanka National Squad that is to take part in the inaugural Asian-Five Nations Division 1 tournament in Chinese Taipei, citing injuries will have to undergo medical tests conducted by Dr. Githanjana Mendis of the Ministry of Sports Medical Unit and will need to pass those tests if they are to avoid disciplinary action being taken against them by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), a Rugby Union source said.

Three Kandy SC players, hooker Anuranga Walpola, flanker Sean Wijesinghe and centre Pradeep Liyanage have withdrawn from the national squad it is said due to injuries.

Two other experienced Kandy SC players winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and full back Radhika Hettiarachchi have written to the SLRFU stating that they have decided to pull out of the squad because they are unwilling to play under CR & FC number eight Dushanth Lewke who is to captain the team in their first match against host nation Chinese Taipei on November 12.

CH & FC flanker Dilanka Wijesekera is set to lead the team in their second game on November 15. The SLRFU source said that at a meeting convened by the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge at his Ministry yesterday and attended by his Ministry Secretary S. Liyanagama, National Sports Council Chairman Dr. Maiya Gunasekera and the SLRFU officials the above decisions had been taken.

The Minister had also stated that whoever who has not a attended national pool practices giving lame excuses will be dealt with accordingly and even suspensions could be slapped on such players.

It is reliably learnt that both Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and Radhika Hettiarachchi would seek legal action if they are suspended from plying their trade over this issue by the SLRFU.

(JK)