Highlighting a dramatic rise in the use of performance-enhancing drugs at school and club level, Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) Director General Dr. Seevali Jayawickrama said that an intelligence office had been set up within SLADA with the help of Sri Lanka Police. 

A Senior Superintendent of Police has been appointed to overlook this intelligence operation, that would attempt to find out information of those who use and provide performance-enhancing substances during national meets and various practice sessions. 

“A total of 1000 police officers have already been engaged in this intelligence operation, and once adequate laws are in place, this programme will be extended to enable all police officers around the island to find information and report it to the intelligence office,” Dr. Jayawickrama said, at the conclusion of the 18th Asia/Oceania Region Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport. 

Ministers from eight countries across the Asia/Oceania region and delegates from more than 36 countries participated in this event which was organized by SLADA in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). 

“Eight athletes have tested positive for these performance-enhancing substances in 2022 alone, with three athletes already testing positive this year,” he said adding that these positive tests had come from athletes engaging in rugby, weightlifting, powerlifting and athletics.

“We have found that school rugby has become more vulnerable to doping mainly because of the huge pressure put on schools and their coaches by old boys, who heavily invest in the schools’ sporting programme,” Dr. Jayawickrama said. 

“Coaches are under pressure to perform and produce immediate results and it is from that pressure that they influence these school children to take performance enhancing substances.” 

“We have found this to be the case with athletics as well,” he added. 

“Unfortunately those who are caught refuse to disclose who is providing them with these banned substances, so no matter how many dopers we identify we are unable to find the root of the problem.”

Dr. Jayawickrama added that SLADA had been successful in catching dopers among athlete who could potentially represent the country at the Asian Games. 

“We have targeted the Asian Games and focused on ensuring that those who represent the country are clean of any drugs,” he said. 

Dr. Jayawickrama also lauded the discipline of para-athletes who, despite winning medals at the Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Para-Asian Games, have not returned any positive tests indicating the use of performance enhancing substances. 

Secretary to the Minister of Sports K. Mahesan and representatives from the intelligence office at SLADA participated at the media briefing. 

(By Susil Premalal)

Main photo: Dr. Seevali Jayawickrama speaking to the media, flanked by Secretary to the MInister of Sports K. Mahesan and SSP Dharshana Gallalage