World Rugby has confirmed that Sri Lanka player Nuwan Hettiarachchi has received a six-month suspension for an anti-doping rule violation.
The 26-year-old underwent an in-competition doping control undertaken at the 2014 Asian 5 Nations match between Sri Lanka and Philippines in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Under analysis, his sample was revealed to contain prednisolone, classified under S9.Glucocorticosteroids on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2014 list of prohibited substances.
The player accepted that he had committed an anti-doping rule violation contrary to Regulation 21.1.1 but maintained that there was no intention to enhance sport performance and no fault on his part.
The player has, for some time, experienced asthmatic and respiratory conditions as a result of allergies. He had previously relied on what he described as “western medical treatments” for these conditions, to no avail. He then turned to ayurveda, a system of traditional indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka and he noticed his condition improving.
When he developed a cough and cold, he obtained some ayurvedic medicine from a practitioner in his home town, Kandy, but he did not show the practitioner a copy of the prohibited list and he did not consult with a qualified medical doctor, sports doctor or his union before using it. It was his contention that prednisolone was added to this ayurvedic remedy without his knowledge.
The committee felt there was no reason to disbelieve the player’s evidence that he took the medicine to treat his cough and allergies, not to enhance his performance. It felt that the player was entitled to the benefit of a reduced sanction due to his use of a specified substance while ultimately still being at fault.
In considering all aspects of the case, the committee decided to impose a six-month suspension. Given the player had been provisionally suspended since 7 July 2014, the suspension is now complete and he is free to resume participation.
Read the full written judgement here.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “World Rugby operates a zero-tolerance policy on doping. Players are solely responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body. While there was cause to reduce his sanction in this case, the fault still rests with the player and goes to show how careful players must be when taking any medicines or supplements.
“World Rugby has in place a comprehensive education programme which continues to evolve on www.keeprugbyclean.com and World Rugby continues to run mandatory education across its events. The latest e-learning programme highlights the dangers and consequences of doping.”