EXCLUSIVE: Sangakkara wanted Dr. White, not Ministry - Aluthgamage

The then Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara in writing requested the President for Dr. Eliyantha White to be taken for the World Cup, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said last night. He said this while participating in the ‘Wada Pitiya’ programme on TV Derana last night.

When questioned by former JVP MP Bimal Rathnayaka on Dr. White who was embroiled in a recent controversy over allegedly administering banned drugs to one of Sri Lanka’s world cup players and opening batsmen Upul Tharanga, Aluthgamage claimed that the Sports Ministry never called on the services of Dr. White.

It was Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Maliga and other players who wanted him, he stated. If the Sports Ministry declined Aluthgamage stated that the players were prepared to bear the expenses themselves to take White on the tour.

The Sports Ministry conducted an investigation on Dr. Eliyantha White within three days on the media frenzy surrounding the issue, the Sports Minister claimed. He added that a three member panel appointed to investigate comprised the Ministry Secretary, Dr. Maiya Gunasekara and Dr. Geethanajana Mendis .

He added that during the inquiry Dr. White listed all the local and international athletes he treated and had stated that none of them had ever tested positive for any illegal substance. Hence we have taken the medicine administered by Dr. White and sent it to a lab in India to be tested. After the results come back we will take the necessary action, he added.