By M. Shamil Amit 

St. Peter’s College, one of the leading rugby playing schools in the island, has been found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during the recently concluded Dialog Schools’ Rugby League, and are to be disqualified from participating in the forthcoming President’s Trophy knockout rugby tournament scheduled to get underway from August 27 onwards.

The disciplinary committee of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) held an inquiry into allegations that St. Peter’s had fielded an ineligible player in two matches of the league tournament, against Vidyartha College and Dharmaraja College, and the charges were proved beyond doubt.

The final report of the inquiry has been handed over to the Ministry of Education for further action to be taken.

According to reliable sources, St. Peter’s will therefore not be able to participate in the knockout tournament and will also be demoted to the Division Two Segment A in next year’s league, Dharmaraja taking the vacant spot.

The first match of the President’s Trophy will be between Isipathana College and Dharmaraja College on August 27, followed by matches between Vidyartha College and S. Thomas’ College, Wesley College against Science College and St. Joseph’s College versus St. Anthony’s College.

The semi-finals are scheduled to be played on September 3 and 4 and the final is slotted to be played on September 9.

The venues for the matches are the Royal Sports Complex and Havelock Park.

Royal and Trinity will not take part due to the second leg of the Bradby Shield being scheduled for September 3.