Himasha Eshan suspended for doping

by Reemus Fernando

Former national 100 metres record holder and South Asian Games medallist Himasha Eshan has been suspended from track and field activities after being found positive for a banned substance during a random test conducted by Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Authority (SLADA).

The sprinter, coached by Chaminda Perera, played a key role in Sri Lanka Artillery’s victory at the recently concluded Army Athletics Championships. Incidentally, the SLADA has collected Himasha’s urine samples at the Army quarters at Narahenpita on the final day of the Army Athletics Championships where he was involved in record breaking feats. He was part of the Medley Relay team that established a new meet record at the event and also ran a wind assisted 10.29 seconds to win the men’s 100 metres.

The SLADA letter addressed to Himasha Eshan states that his ‘A’ sample test has indicated an adverse analytical finding and he has been found positive for an anabolic androgenic steroid norandrosterone.

It is the second time the former Kalutara Vidyalaya sprinter has been found positive for a banned substance during an otherwise glittering carrier. “Since it is the second time that he had been found positive for a banned substance it will make it difficult for any disciplinary committee to treat the matter leniently,” a source conversant with the proceeding told The Island on condition of anonymity.

The 26-year-old has been requested to appear for an initial inquiry at the SLADA headquarters on December 15, where he would be able to request his ‘B’ sample to be tested.

However, sources close to Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Athletics said that the sprinter had left the island for Italy after the Army Athletics Championship.
Himasha who holds the current national record in the men’s 4×100 metres was also the national record holder in the 100 metres until his 10.22 seconds feat was beaten by Italy based Yupun Abeykoon in September 2020.

Himasha was still a teenager when he rose to prominence winning the national title but was first found positive for banned substance methylhexanamine in 2012. His doping violation was treated leniently on that occasion as he was still a school athlete. When he was first tested positive for a banned substance it was reported that the young athlete had been advised by his coach Chaminda Perera to take a supplement available in the market and doping authorities suspected the adverse findings were a result of taking the supplement.

While Himasha was banned for one year, Perera continued to train young aspirants and was the sprint coach of many top athletes.
A source close to anti-doping authority said “according to 33/13 convention against doping in sports criminal charges can be raised against members of the support staff for doping violations in sports.”