Hurdle cleared for Lankan 4x400m men’s relay team

Saturday, 9 October 2010 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo District Court yesterday withdrew the injunction against Sri Lanka’s 4 X 400 metres men’s relay team representing Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games in India.

The race is scheduled for Monday, 12 October and the team can now proceed with the race.

Colombo Additional District Judge R.M.R. Marikkar issued an injunction preventing the 4X400 metres relay team leaving Sri Lanka. But the team had already left for India by then and the court considered the matter when withdrawing the injunction.

The court extended the injunction until 6 October rejecting an appeal filed by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Athletic Association Major General Palitha Fernando.

A dispute related to a member of the 4X400 metres relay team caused the situation. The best athlete Shalitha Ramanayake of Special Task Force (STF) was substituted by another runner by sports officials since Ramanayake refused a last minute selective race. However, his party that argued the test was unfair went to court seeking redress.

The case is to be re-considered on 26 October in order to provide redress to the party that faced injustice.