By Ranil Prematilake

The participation of Kandy SC at this weekend’s club 7’s tournament hangs in the balance with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) making a u-turn on its written confirmation to provide accommodation to the champion club. Kandy SC, being the only outstation side amongst the top club rung had requested for accommodation and transport expenses from the sport’s governing body due to its inability to procure sponsorship monies for this event. 

Executive Director of SLR by an e-mail dated 2nd October 2022 addressed to Ashan Ratwatte, the representative of Kandy SC at SLR, had confirmed thus: “We hereby confirm that SLR will provide accommodation at Janaki Hotel to Kandy SC from Friday night until Sunday lunch with all three meals during the tournament”. This e-mail had been copied to the office bearers of SLR as well.  

In pursuance of the said confirmation, the following day itself (3rd October 2022) Ratwatte had corresponded with the Executive Director of SLR in the following manner: “Appreciate this gesture of providing accommodation for the team. Please let us know how many rooms will be allocated. Also please confirm to the hotel that KSC team will arrive for lunch on Friday”. 

Much to the bemusement of Kandy SC, the Executive Director of SLR had yesterday (04th October 2022) communicated of SLR’s inability to provide accommodation or transport to Kandy SC citing the failure of Kandy SC to officially confirm its participation at the tournament until yesterday. 

Whilst the intent of this article is not an attempt to read through the lines or to create disruption, it is fervently hoped that this matter would be resolved allowing the glamour boys of local rugby to showcase their talent this weekend. At present names in the calibre of Srinath Sooriyabandara, Danush Dayan, Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Buddhima Piyaratne and Diluksha Dange are synonymous with 7’s rugby and would certainly give sponsors the desired mileage.