As a result, the temporary suspension previously imposed on the athlete has been officially lifted.
Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya, Director General of the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA), confirmed that the agency had concluded its inquiry and accepted the recommendation of the Disciplinary Investigation Committee to discharge the athlete from all charges.
The case was based on an incident that occurred on April 19, 2025, during 400m selection trials at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama. According to the Doping Control Officer (DCO)’s report, Lakshan allegedly fled when approached by a chaperone to provide a doping control sample — an act initially interpreted as an intentional evasion.
However, following disciplinary hearings held on June 3 and July 3, 2025, at the National Institute of Sports Science, the panel — chaired by President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa and comprising Prof. (Mrs) Rohini Fernandopulle and Dr. Nimal Gunarathne — concluded that SLADA had failed to prove that the athlete had been properly notified of the sample collection requirement.
“There is no case for the athlete to answer, and thereby the athlete is exonerated from all charges,” the panel's final decision stated.
SLADA was represented by attorneys Panduka Keerthinanda and Subhani Mallawaarachchi, while the athlete was represented by Ranil Premathilaka and Suminda Perera.
