Athletics: Sprinter Himasha Eshan’s career in jeopardy after second doping charge

Sprinter Himasha Eshan, who was provisionally suspended over a positive dope test early this week, has requested for a 'B' sample testing and a change of date of the initial inquiry citing his unavailability on the date proposed.

The 26-year-old was requested to appear for an initial inquiry at the SLADA headquarters come Wednesday, December 15. 

However, since he is currently in Italy on a private visit, he has requested a change of date. 

The date has now been fixed for December 31, 2021.

The South Asian Games medallist Himasha was subjected to a random test by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) after he played a key role in Sri Army's Artillery Regiment's victory at the recently concluded Army Athletics Championships.

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. 

Even though SLADA officials had gone to collect the sample at the grounds, he has gone missing, forcing them to visit him at his Army quarters at Narahenpita the next day to collect the sample.

His 'A' sample test has indicated an adverse analytical finding and he has been found positive for an anabolic androgenic steroid norandrosterone.

This is the second time, Himasha was found guilty of a doping rule violation. 

In late 2012, he was banned for one year after testing positive for JAK 3D (methylhexamine), a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"We were lenient at that time since, he was teenager then. Since this is his second offence, this could possibly be the end of his career as a minimum of four-year ban awaits him now," SLADA sources said.

Coached by Chaminda Perera, he was reportedly recommended a supplement available in the market for the teenager back in 2012, which the medical experts believed would have caused the adverse analytical finding. 

Himasha is still under Perera's wings and authorities believe strong action should also be taken against the coaches and trainers in the event of a positive test, as chances of an athlete resorting to such tactics without coach's knowledge are minimal.