Wanniarachchi's bantamweight gold that he won in India last October was recently reallocated to Welsh boxer Sean McGoldrick after traces of nandrolone were found in the Sri Lankan's urine samples given during the Games.

But Wanniarachchi says he was prevented from proving his innocence by Sri Lanka's Sports Ministry so as not to harm the Hambantota 2018 bid.

The Sri Lankan southern coastal city is currently locked in a two-horse race with the Gold Coast in Australia to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with the decision on where the event will be held set to be made at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11 this year.

"I am unable to file the appeal because authorities believe that other countries may not help Sri Lanka's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games when a Commonwealth Games Federation decision is challenged," he told the Sri Lankan newspaper, The Daily Mirror.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage however, has completely denied the claims.

"It is completely false," he said.

"Neither the Government, nor the ministry exerted pressure on him.

"The medical report clearly shows that that substance was in his body.

"I have both the police and medical reports."

Wanniarachchi, however, insists he did not knowingly take the substance.

"I simply don't believe that such a substance was in my body," he said.

"I can't imagine what actually happened.

"There was a difference between two samples and there has been a six-hour gap between the time the samples were given and handed over to the CGF officials."

However Wanniarachchi says that he was urged through his manager and coach to stand by the country.

"You boxed for the country, but winning the Games bid is a bigger victory for the country," the boxer claims he was told.

The CGF meanwhile insists that it would not comment on the allegations as the investigation process is now over.

"The reality is it has gone through a process," said CGF chief executive Mike Hooper.

"He had the opportunity to appeal at the hearing that was held in Kuala Lumpur, in May.

"He had a time frame to which he could appeal the decision of CGF court through the Court of Arbitration for Sport in accordance with the rules that apply for the Game.

"He made a public statement as to his reasons not to appeal and to retire and that is the end of the matter as far as we are concerned."

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