Boxer Manju tested positive for drugs

Homeopathy doctor under microscope:

Dinesh Weerawansa

A homeopathy doctor in Kurunegala has allegedly given the performance enhancing drug to Sri Lanka boxer Manju Wanniarachchi, stating that it was a vitamin B injection. Wanniarachchi, who won the men’s 56kg bantamweight gold medal at the recent Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India was tested positive for performance enhancing drug, according to the Games officials, who have conveyed the result to the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka last week.

A urine sample ‘A’ of Wanniarachchi, taken during the Games, has shown a positive result for Nandralone, an anabolic steroid which has been included in the banned list of performance enhancing drugs by the world anti-doping body - WADA.

The WADA has already informed Sri Lanka’s NOC about the positive urine sample test of the Sri Lankan boxer who won a boxing gold medal for Sri Lanka after 72 years.

At the time of taking the injection on the homeopathy doctor’s advice about two months ago, Wanniarachchi had not been aware that it contained a banned steroid.

Sri Lanka boxing team Manager and former ABASL President Dian Gomes, speaking exclusively to the Daily News yesterday, said he was shocked to hear the positive dope test.

“We would never encourage boxers or for that matter sportsmen, to look for short cuts for glory. We knew that some boxers and even several national level athletes were seeking treatment from this doctor. Hence, we took adequate measures to educate the said doctor,” said Gomes.

Gomes, who has made an immense contribution to promote the ring sport in Sri Lanka for over a decade, said the ABASL sent a team to meet the doctor about six months ago. “Since we knew some of the boxers were seeking treatment from this doctor, we sent a team - coach Ajith Kumara and ABASL Treasurer Ruwan Keragala met this person and educated him on international doping regulations. The doctor was given a copy of WADA anti-doping regulations too,” Gomes said.

The Godfather of Sri Lanka boxing said they have nothing to hide and have not used wrong channels to win medals. “We have nothing to hide. We have told the boys that there are no short cuts to win medals, but only the hard way and dedication. We have always educated the boys on doping regulations,” he said.

Gomes said there is no need for a boxer to take a steroid such as Nandralone. “This is not a sprint event and there is no need whatsoever for a boxer to depend on performance enhancing drug. We have always encouraged them to play clean as sportsmen,” he said.

He added that Wanniarachchi was completely unaware that the drug, given by the doctor, was a banned steroid and that the boxer had already lodged a complaint against the doctor with the Police.

Following a complaint lodged by the boxer, Kurunegala Police recorded a lengthy statement from the controversial doctor identified as Anura Mudannayake, from whom most of the boxers and athletes seek treatment.

Police have raided the medical centre of the doctor over the weekend and checked his qualifications. While admitting that he gave an injection to Wanniarachchi as a vitamin B supplement, the homeopathy doctor had initially claimed that he has a Sri Lankan medical degree - MBBS. But after being questioned thoroughly by the Police, the co-called doctor had claimed that he holds a medical degree from India. However, it has now been disclosed he is a homeopathy doctor and not a fully qualified doctor with a MBBS.

The 30-year-old Lankan boxer has been given a 14-day period to submit his explanation. He could also make a request to test his ‘B’ urine sample. If that too tests positive, he could opt for an arbitration process.