Tharanga failed dope test: Sri Lanka ministry

Sports

Tharanga failed dope test: Sri Lanka ministry

Close

A three member panel has been set up to investigate the doping charges against Upul Tharanga.

30 May,2011 10:25 pm

Sri Lankan opening batsman Upul Tharanga has become the first Sri Lankan international to fail a dope test after a random check during the cricket World Cup, the countrys sports ministry said Monday.The left-handed player was informed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that he tested positive for a banned steroid, ministry spokesman Harsha Abeykoon told, adding that a national inquiry would also be held.The sports minister (Mahindananda Aluthgamage) named a three-member panel to launch a domestic investigation and as a first step they will record a statement from Tharanga at the earliest, Abeykoon said.He said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the countrys governing body for the sport, had not yet been formally informed by the ICC. He was tested in Colombo during Sri Lankas World Cup match against New Zealand, adding that the ICC had taken a urine sample from him although other players had been subjected to blood tests.Under ICC rules, Tharanga can seek a test of his B sample. Two medical doctors with extensive experience of sports medicine were included in the panel headed by sports ministry secretary Udaya Seneviratne to probe Tharangas case, Abeykoon said.