Himasha banned for four years

by Reemus Fernando

Former national 100 metres record holder and champion Himasha Eshan has been slapped with a four year ban on recommendations made by the Disciplinary Committee of the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Authority following a positive result for a banned substance.

The South Asian Games medallist was found positive for a banned substance during a random test conducted by SLADA on October 26, 2021.

SLADA, in a letter addressed to the athlete, said yesterday that the Disciplinary Committee which conducted an inquiry on June 3 2022 have found him guilty of violating doping rules.

The committee has banned him for four years from October 26, 2021 to October 25, 2025.

The Anti-Doping authorities collected the 27-year-old’s urine samples at the Army quarters at Narahenpita. He was involved in several impressive performances including a wind assisted 10.29 seconds feat to win the men’s 100 metres during the Army Athletics Championships which was held around that time.

He is banned from engaging in all sports activities for four years now.

However, the SLADA letter states that the athlete is entitled to appeal against the ban.

Himasha was suspended last year following the positive result but the disciplinary inquiry had to be postponed on more than one occasion after the athlete informed the committee of his unavailability due to various reasons.

It is the second time that Himasha has been banned for a doping violation.

He was first banned when he was a teenager. He made a return after authorities reduced the ban considering his age.

At the first instance his coach Chaminda Perera was suspected to have introduced him to a controversial supplement which had contained the banned substance.