Trinity College are facing disciplinary action and are in danger of being demoted after they pulled out from the Inter-Schools Under-19 Division One League Rugby Tournament first-round fixture against Zahira College on Saturday at Maradana.
The Trinity rugby authorities had written to the host school, Zahira and the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRA) requesting for a postponement as they are unable to field their 1st XV with nearly 10 players down with suspected food poisoning.
However, Zahira have informed Trinity College that they cannot postpone the match since all arrangements have been made for the Group 2A tournament fixture and that there is no window in their calendar to play the game as per the tournament rules, all first-round matches need to be completed before July 31. According to the SLSRFA Handbook 2023, the punishment for failing to turn up for a match will have a disciplinary hearing and followed by disciplinary action.
The SLSRFA Handbook further notes that: “Violation of circulars mentioned above, will result in demotion to lowest segment or lower division the next year.” (Eg: Division 1 Segment ‘A’ school will be demoted to Division 2 Segment ‘B’).
The SLSRFA Disciplinary Committee is set to meet shortly and in consultation with their official medical doctor, they will submit the report to the Education Ministry, which in return deliver the final verdict.