Martis set to return in August

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Arguably the finest coach in Sri Lanka Sanath Martis will return from a six-month suspension to coach St. Peter’s College next season.

The veteran coach who has been hugely successful in the last decade or so was handed a suspension by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) following the emergence of a video last year which suggests that he assaulted one of the St. Peter’s players for being disrespectful towards the opponents during a preseason match.

However, a source close to SLR confirmed that Martis will be able to coach St. Peter’s next season.

“He was given a six-month suspension obviously after that incident, and he would have served it by August. So after that he would indeed be able to coach any team unless of course he violates the rules,” SLR official told Daily Mirror.

Having won two league titles with Royal College Martis returned to St. Peter’s at a time when the team from Bambalapitiya was struggling and had finished sixth in the league. Since then he guided the Peterites to back to back Milo President’s Trophy wins while they finished second and third in the league tournament during the last couple of years.

St. Peter’s College stated that they are right behind the head coach and confident he would take the team to new heights next season.

“We are right behind Sanath Martis who is an excellent coach and we are confident he would help our team win more next season. We have not even thought of changing our coaching staff which has done a tremendous job. As it stands he would coach the first team next season,” a spokesman from St. Peter’s College told Daily Mirror.

Sri Lanka rugby fraternity is likely to warmly welcome Sanath Martis from suspension as many found the incident as a part and parcel of such a physical game.