Isipathana College Information Center

For most readers of newspapers, the thinking of journalists is hard to fathom. This is even truer with those readers who allow their emotions to run wild. At present the majority of the rugby community wants Isipatana College punished for the mess they’ve created in the school rugby scene. This punishment might come in the form of all leading rugby playing schools refusing to play Isipatana next year. Speculation is rife that some top rugby playing schools are contemplating scrapping their ‘annual’ fixture with the ‘Green shirts’. All this happened because some old boys and parents of Isipatana College filed a case in the district court on behalf of the Isipatana College First XV rugby team which was shown the door by rugby administrators for refusing to feature in a school rugby knockout semi-final, which was rescheduled to be continued from where it was stopped. Some in the rugby fraternity have blamed ‘The Island’ newspaper for aiding these plaintiffs to file the case by publishing a press release from the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA). This press release states that the SLSRFA apologizes to Isipatana College because it (SLSRFA) believes that some injustice was done to this school by not playing this disrupted semi-final afresh. The release was signed by the SLSRFA President, treasurer and by someone on behalf of the secretary. These three individuals hold the top most posts in this sports body. Hence there was no reason why ‘The Island’ could not have published this release because there was a healthy working relationship between ‘The Island’ and the SLSRFA till then. Hence, we believe there was no doubt about the authenticity of the release sent to us by the school rugby governing body. It was only the next day that the secretary of the SLSRFA told journalists that he had not signed this release. With the aim of practicing ethics in journalism, we informed the reading public about the controversy the letter had generated. At present, the relationship between ‘The Island’ and the SLSRFA has been soured somewhat and we (Journalists) will be careful in future when dealing with this sports body.

As a newspaper which covers rugby with a passion, ‘The Island’ can’t ignore it if Isipatana College or for that matter the SLSRFA makes news. We have to stick by our duty to keep our readers informed about rugby’s latest developments. There is a lot of talk about Isipatana College having had discussions with the SLSRFA on behalf of the plaintiffs to settle this dispute. It is reliably understood that these discussions are aimed at influencing the plaintiffs to withdraw the court case filed in the district court. The SLSRFA has scheduled a meeting this Saturday and the main topic for discussion will be this issue regarding the injunction order that has been obtained. We assure our readers that they’ll be updated on the latest which we’ll do in ‘The Sunday Island’.

‘The Island’ is not the judge to pass verdict on Isipatana, the plaintiffs or the SLSRFA, whose president, secretary and treasurer have been named as respondents in the court case. It should be the reading public who should make judgment after reading the true facts we report on. We must state that the judgment or verdict of the reading public is very powerful. This verdict will be seen when Isipatana College comes out on the rugby field to play rugby again.

At present ‘The Island’ learns that two Isipatana College players have retained their places in the under 20 national squad which will contest the Asian Championships this year. Even the law states that the worst criminal in the world has the right to be represented in a court of law. Any grieved party can seek legal help and no one can stop that. Our controversial minister who’s notorious for his rough house tactics with journalists gets publicity when he makes news. This is because ethics of journalism teach us to be impartial when reporting. ‘The Island’ is concerned that the press release it ran recently helped some grieved parties to seek legal assistance, as suggested by those in the opposite camp. But this newspaper can’t be vindictive of those who believe this newspaper article helped their cause. Some officials of the SLSRFA state that they disapprove of this release being issued to the media, but no one has denied that such a release wasn’t circulated to journalists by the SLSRFA.

‘The Island’ wishes to state that it has reported on rugby with the prime motive of keeping its readers informed of the happenings of rugby. The mission of ‘The Island’ starts and ends there.

THE ISLAND - By RAVI NAGAHAWATTE (  29 / 07 / 2010 )

 

Ramesh Rushantha Silva

(  Srilanka )