Wesley in hot water for fielding ineligible rugby player

By: Susil Premalal

(Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) has initiated an inquiry following a complaint alleging that a rugby player, who left school due to failing the GCE O/L Examination, represented the Wesley College Under-19 Rugby Team.

The inquiry was prompted by detailed written and verbal complaints from players, coaches, parents of respective schools, and others to the SLSRFA authorities.

The initial inquiry, held today at Asoka MV in Colombo, focused on Wesley College Under-19 rugby player R.A.S.H. Peiris. It was attended by the Wesley master-in-charge and senior officials from the SLSRFA.

SLSRFA Secretary D.W.M. Nimmana requested the Wesley Principal, through the master-in-charge, to provide several documents for the inquiry, including R.A.S.H. Peiris's Schools Rugby identity card, player registration, birth certificate, 2023 and 2024 GCE O/L admission cards, and the school leaving certificate certified by the Principal.

Recently, the Schools Sports Association and the Ministry of Education have received numerous complaints regarding fraudulent incidents in major team championships among popular schools in Colombo.

According to informed sources from the Education Ministry, allegations suggest that some leading schools engage in fraudulent activities by fielding over-aged players or those who have left school to participate in tournaments.

These alleged misdeeds are believed to occur based on recommendations from trainers and coaches associated with these schools.

Meanwhile, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Education, Athula Wijenayaka, commented, “We have not yet received any complaint about this incident. Typically, recommendations are forwarded to the Education Ministry after investigations are completed by the school associations.”