The four Navy Sports Club rugby players who were suspended for showing solidarity towards their remanded player Yoshitha Rajapaksa have not violated any rugby rules, regulations or any laws.
Four Navy Sports Club rugby players in an act of comradeship towards Yoshitha Rajapaksa, wore arm bands displaying “Y007” in their recently concluded ‘A’ division rugby match, played last weekend.
The arm bands depicting ‘YO’ being the pet name Yoshitha is referred to by his team mates, whilst ’07’ is the number the flanker uses on the back of his rugby jersey.
Akram Alavi the Navy Sports Club Spokesman speaking to Colombo Telegraph stated that the said players have been suspended indefinitely, as an investigation will be take place shortly. “This is a domestic investigation within the Sri Lanka Navy and it has nothing to do with players violating any World Rugby rules, regulations or any law”, he said.
A former SLRFU Executive Committee Member also speaking to Colombo Telegraph said that he does not see any violation of what has taken place according to the World Rugby laws. “Even the locations and specifications of what is to be printed on the players playing kit is governed by World Rugby. Specifications for the purpose of advertising and displaying logos of the rugby club, sponsor’s logos, player numbers, SLRFU logo etc. is demarcated in the law books. There are instances when even players have scribbled ‘I Love You’ on their wrist bands in the past. This is political victimization of players who definitely are the playing mates of Yoshitha Rajapaksa” the former Ex-Co Member said on condition of anonymity.
“If political, ethnic and religion is to be kept out of the sport according to World Rugby rules and regulations, then how come Havelocks Sports Club do have a biblical scripture verse on the main pavilion wall? ” asked a die hard rugby enthusiast. The words “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:13” is the verse referred to.
S.W. Chang the current chairman tournament committee speaking on the above topics said “I dont see anything wrong with the wrist bands worn. As a former referee it would only be of concern to me if what is worn brings disrepute to the game or in anyway could cause injury to the player or the other players. Players put on the sign of the cross when they score tries”. “They even huddle and sometimes say a prayer before kick off. Promoting religion would be more on the lines of distributing leaflets promoting one’s religious cause as opposed to a verse inscribed on the Havies pavilion” concluded Chang. ( By Marlon Dale Ferreira © CT )
Havelocks Sports Club do have a biblical scripture verse on the main pavilion wall
Shrikharan / February 15, 2016
All what is said is “privileged people will be always have the right to be privileged”.
That is what the so called Socialists like Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa, Dinesh Gunewardene and the likes are practicing but preaching socialism only to get the votes as majority are poor. Socialism is merely words to deceive the masses. They live a capitalist life in luxury while they march the streets shouting slogans “down with the capitalist”. The so called socialists are the biggest humbugs still holding on the socialist slogans only to become more richer by coning the gullible masses for their votes.
China was a poor country when it held on to the outdated socialism, when only the Communist rulers were rich and allowed to enjoy luxury and fortunately communism was given up and now the country in a short span of time has become the world most resourceful rich nation.
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Rohan / February 15, 2016
I am keen to find out whether this was a spontaneous decision by the players themselves or they were coerced to do this!
I heard that Rajapaksas were a dividing force in Sri Lankan rugby. The match was against Army was a close one. I am sure the Navy Team had an easy time when Rajapaksas were playing. Nobody can touch the princes in the field of play. Then, the opposition players will be in trouble if they challenge the ‘authority’ of the princes. Also, the referees are in trouble if they are not favourable towards the Navy team.
//Akram Alavi the Navy Sports Club Spokesman speaking to Colombo Telegraph stated that the said players have been suspended indefinitely, as an investigation will be take place shortly. “This is a domestic investigation within the Sri Lanka Navy and it has nothing to do with players violating any World Rugby rules, regulations or any law”.//
Yeah, yeah… Can you check with the Navy seniors, Mr Akram Alavi, whether Yoshitha is still in ‘active duty’? If someone from Navy is in remand, they are interdicted from the navy, right?
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Chari / February 15, 2016
The issue started with pro-Yoshita arm bands and ended with a statement regarding a scripture of the Bible.
Yoshita is in remand and actions like these could be considered in contempt of court. There is an ongoing case.
A scripture printed on a pavilion wall has no relevance. This is nothing to do with religion, and Yoshita is not in remand for playing rugby.
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Derby / February 15, 2016
Chari,
How can you be so unintelligent? Do you even know the law regarding contempt of court? Showing solidarity with a buddy who is incarcerated is a god given right of freedom. If one cannot fight for what one think is unfair in Sri Lanka, then the country is falling in to Idi Amin’s world!
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words / February 16, 2016
Unintelligent is the name of the game in srilanka today.. these commentators who justify the action of the Navy are in fact throwing mud at their very own yahapalanaya regime! Good governance should mean a man is innocent till proven guilty.. !
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Mrhy / February 15, 2016
I don’t think anybody doubts that they didn’t violate rugby laws.
However, the probably violated Navy discipline laws.
Sensationalist headline, Colombo Telegraph? Not enough website hits this month, eh? lol
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mewan / February 15, 2016
The joke of Yahapalanaya is becoming evident every day! If anyone here says that this suspension has nothing to do with the government, then they are hiding their heads in their own backsides.
This is a just a bunch of guys showing solidarity with one of their mates who is going through a personal crisis. This is not a political statement or even blaming the government. Further, it is not the whole team, probably a few guys who were personal friends with the man. He may be an alleged money launderer but I am sure he has some genuine friends around him, and these are some of those guys. These kind of arm bands are worn all over the by sportsmen in almost every sport showing their love, grievance or solidary with someone they love or care. They don’t get suspended even from the game. Now these guys have been suspended from their jobs for wearing a harmless wristband.
It is clear how this administration is infiltrating every walk in life controlling what how people express their freedom. Fool of a PM has the tenacity to blame a singer for desecrating a religious song “Danno Budunge.” When did this become a religious song? This is one of the most beautiful songs that have even been written and many people have sung it inducing in drunken parties. Does that mean they are insulting religion?
Soon there will be an approved set of words and phrases the public can say. Press freedom is allowed only as long as it praises the government and support their every move. Otherwise they are propagating malicious propaganda against the government.
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dindem / February 15, 2016
The PM never commented about the singer or her desecrating the song. His comment was regard to a adaderana commenting and insulting the singer for her style of singing and likening her to a bitch. Finally to have a PM and a government who calls a spade a spade is refreshing
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words / February 16, 2016
I do wish he’d call Ravi the spade he is too.. ! What went wrong there I wonder??
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malith8 / February 16, 2016
not a bitch, but a female cat (Belaliya vs Belli) the PM got it wrong
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Derby / February 15, 2016
I agree with you Mewan. Sri Lanka is slowly but surely descending to Anarchy with the current Yahapalanaya government when there is No freedom of speech when it comes to showing solidarity with a buddy who has been incarcerated with No bail. I have never heard of incarcerating a person for potential money laundering charges with no bail. Yoshitha should be granted bail as there is no escaping the island. The government can always confiscate his passport. People looking on from the rest of the world can see that there is political victimization going on. What is amazing is no one that supports the current government appears to have done no wrong when they were supporters of the previous government. I believe every member of the Parliament without party affiliation should be investigated in to their financial transactions for the last 8 years and either be cleared of corruption or charged. It is ridiculous that only the former President’s immediate and extended family and close associates are being investigated. Not everyone in the outside world is stupid, even though Sirisena may think so – comparing to his own intelligence level.
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words / February 16, 2016
It’s called good governance political victimisation.
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Sim / February 15, 2016
Does the rugby laws allow a player to have anything in his playing shirt visible to spectators?
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VP / February 15, 2016
Next these clowns will address him as Yoshitha Mandela….probably paid off by the Maharajah !!!
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Sylvia Haik / February 15, 2016
For the life of me I just cannot understand why anyone in their right mind would continue supporting this most corrupt Rajapakse clan to hit our country. I can understand why the likes of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa, Dinesh Gunewardene support them as they are corrupt themselves and benefitted but you have to be an imbecile to forgive their thuggery, murder, abductions, torture, thievery and disappearance let alone yearn for their return.
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BBS Rep / February 16, 2016
Chang said, “As a former referee it would only be of concern to me if what is worn brings disrepute to the game”.
Well Yoshitha is in remand on allegations of money laundering and other fraud related investigations. There is also the cloud of murdered Thajudeen, a fellow rugby player, hanging over the head of Yoshitha.
Isn’t this disrepute enough Mr Chang – for rugby players to defiantly advertise their association with a person who is believed to be involved in high crime.
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kaleel / February 16, 2016
yes it is wrong he play for navy belonge to public salary paid public fund he cant do his own mental ideas if he play pvt he can do what ever with government money he shouldn’t hema ekama kade yanna gihin thama minee merum walata den maattu wela inne munwa Colombo area wala thiyana ekath rajayata danger mental rajakariye wagakeema nodena padiganna set eka
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Spring Koha / February 16, 2016
It was all a bit of a nonsense to see only four players sport the pathetic message. A classy outfit would have ALL fifteen display the message, or NONE.
As they say down in Havelock Town, those sailors couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery.
Palayang yakko ……..
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Sanipanado / February 16, 2016
Navy is part of disciplined forces and action and solidarity must be in conformity. What if Police wear a band to express solidarity with Embilipitiya Police or Army shows same with those in remand. Look at the bigger picture of service discipline.
The former Executive committee member and SW Chang must read more about ” bringing game into disrepute” in the World Rugby Code of conduct. At one time world rugby frowned on a referee showing a tattoo on his arm. The referee had to use a sleeve to cover the tatoo while on the field.
Stick to your mandate as this is not about tournament or rugby laws but about discipline in the service arm.
Can you do this in China ?.
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Nuwan / February 16, 2016
Mahinda, Mahinda’s son, Mahinda’s chairmanship. These are the topics that consumes at least 50% of the airwaves, online and print media. Why? I thought MR is a spent force, but this constant MR promotion seem to be a clever tactic by RW to put MY3 into eternal trouble.
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Spring Koha / February 16, 2016
The Havies pavilion inscription was thought of after a long night when much of the amber stuff had flowed, and ideas became wacky. Of course, it is only for the brown sahibs in the membership to impress other visiting brown sahibs, and those foreigners who stray into the ground. Brown sahib clubs will not be seen dead having a quote (however profound) in Sinhala or Tamil. Aney, Aiyooo!
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commando69 / February 16, 2016
This is totally a Navy matter.The navy sports organisation must surely have a dress code for players .If this code has been faulted – then it needs disiplinary action to be taken. Thats it !.
The inscription on the Havies club house wall has nothing to do with this.
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Beeman / February 17, 2016
forget the yo …. some of these navy players are yo ho ho …. never seen or done a sit up in their lives and look like drunken , fat sailors….
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Bensen Berner / February 17, 2016
Currently, Yoshitha Rajapaksa is incarcerated not because of his father Mahinda’s crimes but because of his own crimes.He will be called upon to pay for the crimes of the members of his family. Bensen
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Spring Koha / February 17, 2016
Ho ho ho…just remembered an old sea shanty we learned at that nice missionary school run by some of our old colonial masters. I have modified the ords, naturally….
What shall we do with the naughty sailor?
What shall we do with the naughty sailor?
What shall we do with the naughty sailor
Early in the morning?
REFRAIN
Hooray, up she rises!
Hooray, up she rises!
Hooray, up she rises!
Early in the morning
Put him in the hold ’til he confesses
Put him in the hold ’til he confesses
Put him in the hold ’til he confesses
Early in the morning
and on, and on, and on……………..
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Justicia / February 18, 2016
What did the Rugby Tournament Committee or the Referees Committee do when the Kandy players and spectators were assaulted after a match in Kandy. What action did they take when a Rajapaksa assaulted a referee? Did they have the vaguest idea what the word “disrepute” meant?
What if the Army players had such bands worn then when General Fonseka was incarcerated? They would have raised their tails (and what not) and would have got into action immediately.
It is better for Tournament Committee and the Referees Committee to keep their silence (like what they did during Rajapaksa regime) without making any comments. It is the same old story: No action was taken against Rajapaksa brothers and supports then and why should they take action now?
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sanipanado / February 18, 2016
Jusiticia
This article has not quoted anything from the Referees Committee or from the Referees Society . But the view of a Ex Referee who is in the current tournament committee.
Also I think it is this same Former Executive council member who said the referee was not assaulted sucking to the politician .
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