By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

	NOC says it is 'highly inappropriate' for the ministry to allow Mr White to treat national cricketers

Sri Lanka's head of National Olympic Committee (NOC) has warned that the country is getting adverse publicity for doping scandals in sport.

Describing the recent controversies over six national players taking banned substances as "very serious," Hemasiri Fernando told BBC Sinhala service that Sri Lanka is becoming 'infamous for doping'.

The NOC has been trying to prevent such scandals for past few years, he claims.

Sri Lanka cricket star Upul Tharanga is once again available for selection after serving a three-month ban for taking a banned substance during the 2011 cricket World Cup.

Six national players

Chintana Vidanage, a Commonwealth Games (CWG) gold medalist for weight lifting told BBC Sandeshaya that he unknowingly took a substance banned by World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).

The medical unit of the sports ministry disrupted us when trying to conduct doping awareness courses 3-4 years ago Head of NOC, Hemasiri Fernando

He is also likely to face a lengthy ban.

Boxing star Manju Wanniararachchi found guilty of doping claimed innocence while accusing the sports ministry of preventing his appeal against the conviction.

Sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage denied the allegation.

Three other national rugby players are also under investigation.

"The medical unit of the sports ministry disrupted us when trying to conduct doping awareness courses 3-4 years ago," Mr Fernando said.

Eliyantha White

Dr Geethanjana Mendis has been the head of the medical unit of the sports ministry for nearly ten years.

	Medical Council says Eliyantha White is not a registered medical practitioner in Sri Lanka

Dr Mendis has publicly admitted allowing healer Eliyantha White, who is not a registered medical practitioner in Sri Lanka, to treat national cricket players including Upul Tharanga and Lasith Malinga.

Had Mr White been allowed to treat national players by Dr Mendis, the NOC head called it 'highly inappropriate'.

Dr Mendis refused to comment on why he allowed Mr White, who describes himself as the personal physician to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to treat national players.

Sports Minister Aluthgamage has meanwhile told AdaDerana television that it was former captain Kumar Sangakkara who in writing requested the healer to be taken for the World Cup.

Sangakkara has not publicly responded to the minister's statement.

Hemasiri Fernando called on the sports authorities to ban not only the sports personnel but the coaches and the administrators who have knowingly helped sportsmen to use banned substances.

"Sri Lanka is now known to be one of the best countries that use banned drugs. This is very bad and unfortunate situation."

The head of the NOC however said that sports minister is currently taking measures to prevent future such scandals.

"I wish that the minister would have courage and energy to implement this plan as soon as possible."