Using banned substances:

Several players found guilty

Yasaratne GAMAGE

‘A victory becomes memorable if achieved with discipline and loyalty and the best way to avoid misconduct in sports is to educate young sportsmen and women at school and at grass root level,’ said Director General, Institute of Sports Medicine Prof. Arjuna de Silva at a press briefing at the Sports Ministry Medical Unit on Wednesday.

He further noted that if Sri Lankan sportsmen and women do not adhere to World Anti Doping Association ( WADA ) rules and regulations and when their conduct does not comply with accepted norms the world would label us as dopers, which will definitely destroy our 2500 year heritage.

The press briefing was called to officially announce the sanctions imposed on several players who were found positive for taking banned substances this year. Head of Sri Lanka anti doping committee, Dr Maiya Gunasekara addressing the journalists said that it is the responsibility of the sports personnel to avoid being positive and once they exceed the limit there is no point of pointing at trainers, coaches and officials. It was further emphasized that since all sports personnel , coaches and trainers have been advised to refrain from taking the WADA prohibited drugs, when they seek medical treatment, WADA or National Anti Doping Organization does not accept ‘ unawareness ‘ as an excuse.

Sports Medical Unit Anti Doping Unit Committee member, lawyer Panduka Keerthinanda stated that new laws are being drafted to punish not only the sportsmen and women but also their coaches and trainers.

New laws will come into effect from next January once approved by Parliament.

All drugs that exclude the WADA prohibited list will be labeled as approved by the medical unit of Sports Ministry is in a process with Sri Lanka Consumer Protection Authority so that sports personnel would not purchase prohibited drugs in the market.

Weight lifter Ransilu Jayatillaka who bypassed the committee inquiries has been banned for two years while body builder Anurudda Kumara received a one year ban. Darshana Fernando, Udara Mendis, Chanaka Priyadarshana and Lasantha Fonseka were banned for six months.

Cyclist Suwaris Premachandra was banned for a year and athlete Champika Dilrukshi Mudalige will not see the track for three months. Athlete Anusha Shyamalee was exonerated and Prof. Arjuna who explained how her systematic and organized records of the treatments she had taken proved her innocence.

Professor Arjuna de Silva noted that the medical unit is planning to issue certificates to sportsmen after tests on nutritional assessment, fitness and doping to make them comply with anti doping regulations. It will be made compulsory for sportsmen to obtain the certificate before competing at top level and the process will come into effect next January for athletics and rugger.