IAAF warns AASL to ban Jani or face consequences

BAN: The world athletic governing body - IAAF, has warned the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka to impose an immediate provisional ban on controversial woman sprinter Jani Chathurangi Silva or face consequences.

In a strongly worded confidential letter to AASL President Dervin Perera, IAAF's Anti Doping Administrator, Dr. Gabriel Dolle has stated if Sri Lanka fail to impose a provisional suspension, the IAAF would do so at their discretion.

"We instructed you in our fax of 25.01.07 to proceed to suspend the athlete provisionally, pending the conclusion of her case. I understand that you show some reluctance to suspend her for various reasons," the IAAF Anti Doping Administrator has warned the Sri Lanka athletic chief.

"I must inform you that should you finally decide not to suspend her at this stage, any period of voluntary withdrawal from competition served by the athlete could not be deducted from the sanction the AASL panel must finally decide to impose upon her.

In accordance with the IAAF rules, the period of ineligibility, if any, imposed upon Ms. Silva would have to start from the date of the decision of the AASL," the IAAF later states.

The IAAF has made it clear that a provisional suspension on Sri Lanka woman athlete is inevitable, despite a controversial local Disciplinary committee decision to exonerate the South Asian Games double medallist.

"I would like to remind you that, pursuant to IAAF Rule 38.3, if you fail to suspend the athlete provisionally, I can proceed to the provisional suspension of Ms. Jani Chathurangi Silva at my discretion," the IAAF Anti Doping Administrator Dr. Dolle has warned the AASL.

The IAAF has also suggested a voluntary suspension and has sent a special form to be filled and signed by the athlete concerned. "Please note that as an alternative, the athlete has the possibility to accept a voluntary suspension by signing the IAAF form attached," Dr. Dolle adds.

The IAAF has urged the AASL to convene the its inquiry panel and hold the athlete's hearing "as soon as possible" based on the evidence previously collected by the South Asian Games Organsing Committee panels.

The SAGOC Medical panel, headed by Dr. Ravindra Fernando, beyond reasonable doubts, proved that Silva has taken performance enhancing drugs. Both her urine samples contained high volumes of NA-19, a banned anabolic steroid.

But a Disciplinary Committee, headed by Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, later decided to exonerate the athlete from all charges - a controversial decision which the IAAF has not accepted. Rajapakshe cited "change of custody" of her urine samples as an excuse and cleared her completely.

As a result, the IAAF ordered an immediate provisional suspension last month but the AASL did not implement the world governing body's ruling. The IAAF has ruled that the athlete has violated anti doping regulations of the AASL, SAGOC and the IAAF.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Silva had come before the AASL Committee before the commencement of the medical committee investigation and verbally accepted that she has taken a drug. An official of the AASL confirmed this new report last night but said they have not taken any action since then.

Silva is due to come before the AASL Committee at 5 p.m. today. The AASL official said they would give another hearing to the athlete and would inform her the latest rulings of the IAAF and the voluntary provisional suspension suggested by the world governing body.

DW