Air Force have made an official protest and are demanding that Rowan Perry is not included in the CR&FC squad that will face Air force this Sunday (27th November)
Reports emerged that Rowan Perry, Sri Lankan born former Australia U-19 national who arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday will make his Dialog A division club rugby debut against the Airmen when CR& FC play their first home game of the season. Air Force has officially protested this move by a letter to the Sri Lanka Rugby stating that fielding Perry is illegal and is contrary to the rules that govern player registration in Sri Lanka.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, Secretary of Air force Rugby committee – Wing Commander Subash Jayathilaka confirmed that two letters, one from Air Force legal department and another from the Air force Rugby committee was handed over to Sri Lanka Rugby yesterday (25th November) protesting against the inclusion of Rowan Perry in CR&FC squad that will face Air force on Sunday. Jayathilaka added that “We have no problem with the player, but the rules need to be adhered to by everyone. According to the clause 14B which governs player registration it is mandatory that all supporting documents are submitted before a player can be registered at a new club. We have not seen the release letter of the player in question which needs to be submitted to the union 48 hours before he can play and that is why we have officially raised the issue with Sri Lanka Rugby”
Lasitha Gunarathne – Tournament Director of the Dialog Club Rugby league confirmed that they have received a letter of protest from Air force. He also confirmed that although Perry has been registered as a player it is mandatory that a letter of release is obtained when a player transfers from one Union to another. Perry is currently not under any contract in Australia but will have to wait till the Australian Rugby Union sends in a confirmation of the same.
ThePapare.com contacted CR&FC on their stance on the matter and was advised by Mr. Ajith Abeyrathne – President of CR&FC rugby committee that they have received a document from the Australian Rugby Union which confirms the release of the player in question and have forwarded it to Sri Lanka Rugby. Mr. Abeyrathne stated that “The release document concerning Perry has been received by us and we have sent it across to Sri Lanka Rugby. However we have made a decision not to include the player in question in the upcoming game as we have not received a ruling regarding the matter by Sri Lanka Rugby and CR&FC will adhere to all the rules laid down by Sri Lanka rugby ”
The open side flanker, Rowan Perry made his debut to international rugby representing the Canberra Vikings and later represented the Australian Under 20’s in the Junior Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. His stint in the national jersey earned him a position in the ACT Brumbies wider training squad in 2015 for the Super Rugby season while training with the Vikings.
Perry took the attention of the Sri Lankan masses when he represented the Walker CML Vipers in the Sri Lankan Super Sevens that was worked off during the month of August. Perry was born in Sri Lanka when his parents were in the country on vacation giving him the status of being eligible for Sri Lankan citizenship.
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