Mahela, Sanga to compensate fans

28 December 2015 04:18 am - 36 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena who are the board members of Live Events Sri Lanka, have decided to compensate the fans due to the shortcomings at the Enrique Iglesias concert recently staged in Colombo.

The decision has been made public in a joint statement of Mahela and Sangakkara via their Facebook accounts.

The full statement

Dear Enrique Ticket Holders,

We wish to apologise to all of you for your negative experience at the recently concluded Enrique Concert. Although both of us were overseas fulfilling cricket commitments, we were shocked and saddened to hear of the events that transpired. It is extremely disappointing for us that this event, organised to assist the development of Sri Lanka as a tourist and entertainment hub and provide the public with exceptional entertainment of a high standard by accessing celebrated international artists, turned out in this manner. We are issuing this statement today, after understanding all circumstances and the facts.

When the idea was pitched to us and other investors by the organisers to bring an artist such as Enrique to Sri Lanka, we backed it in all good faith expecting a stellar event delivered in a professional manner to the public of Sri Lanka. Although we realised that such a venture will be an arduous one due to the well-known challenges and market restraints of organising such large-scale events in Sri Lanka, we were willing to support this endeavour considering the rich experience and the image-building potential for Sri Lanka’s tourism. As such, all required resources - both financial and otherwise - were made available to the organizers to ensure the desired outcome.

Unfortunately, the event has fallen far short of these expectations. Although we believe that the organising team worked tirelessly and with good intentions to ensure a well-run event, there have clearly been glaring mistakes made, for which responsibility needs to be taken.

Firstly, although the delay of the artist and some equipment arriving at the venue, which caused the subsequent delay in opening the gates to usher in the public, for which the artist responsibly and graciously apologized, was beyond the control of the organizers, the communication of this to the public was mishandled, thereby inconveniencing people greatly. Those that stood patiently in-line for hours were not extended the courtesy of being informed of the ground situation. This at the very beginning would have frustrated and angered all of you.

Secondly, although a professional security company was hired and protocols were put in place to ensure the safety and the comfort of all, we have been made well-aware that these measures were inadequate when faced with the challenges of controlling such a large gathering, and failed alarmingly. This obviously undermined the overall experience for those who purchased premium tickets by their respective space being encroached upon by others, and we fully understand their disappointment and anger. The premium price paid by them for their tickets needs to be respected and their comfort and viewing experience should have been safeguarded, which is under the direct purview of the organizers.

The organizers are in agreement, with our direction, that such shortcomings must not be tolerated. As such, we have informed them that an apology in itself is not sufficient, but further appropriate compensation has to be made in the form of a suitable refund, irrespective of the financial loss to us.
With regards to recent reports concerning Live Events and Municipal entertainment taxes, we categorically state the company remains transparent and ethical in all operations.

Live Events will continue to ensure full compliance with all relevant tax commitments and is providing all necessary information to the Colombo Municipal Council, in order to clarify facts and the way forward. Accountability and integrity is paramount to us and we believe it to be the same for the organizers.
Although we know an apology or refund cannot fully satiate your disappointment, we wish to reiterate that we remain fully committed to all of you and our country. As such, a full and thorough internal inquiry is ongoing into all areas of concern.
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.
(Posted by Admin)

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Comments - 36

Christo Tuesday, 29 December 2015 06:47 AM

MY3 is silent on Hirunika which is a bigger issue facing the country. He has no grasp on the issues facing the country. Though I voted for MY3, now I know for sure MR was the better of the two for SL.

kuthbuddin Monday, 28 December 2015 03:25 PM

when you organised such an event and you are investing your investment you must be totally responsible of the investment and the product you deliver is the best.you cannot leave room for mistakes of such magnitude to happen.refunding and apologizing after it has happen is just to show how much careless these chaps are.if in case a some kind of casualties happen what would be the repercussion as the venue was attended by tourist as well.that is the reason Mr president was harsh in his speech.just trowing underwear is not only one of the reason its the very safety of the audience. indecency violence rape = disgracing sri lanka as not so safe place for entertainment.

Amith Monday, 28 December 2015 04:32 PM

First give the stingray Tail punishment to Sanga and Mahela....as the President says...then let them pay the refund...if you are the co-owners of the organization responsible for this dirty event..you Two should take responsibilities not by paying refund but also the punishment...you cannot escape...

Jimmy Monday, 28 December 2015 06:38 PM

Seems you are looser living under a rock. Mistakes are made even by the best. M

Wellsaid Monday, 28 December 2015 07:35 PM

Haha well said!!!!

Jenny Monday, 28 December 2015 07:39 PM

Hmm why are they blamed for unavoidable circumstances, irresponsible team and woah the most indecent filthy rich people in our society

Weesmoos Monday, 28 December 2015 07:42 PM

Yes very true!!! This country had no war, brutal killing.. rape or kidnap... it had very just rulers who never stole from the public!! Besides being a country with no racism at all... need to fight hard for lost dignity:/

Randy Monday, 28 December 2015 07:44 PM

Very true...!! We should start with our former president for the record

H.M Tuesday, 29 December 2015 05:56 AM

They are not in SL... they are in Australia playing "Big Bash League"

Wesmos Monday, 28 December 2015 03:14 PM

The damage has been done to Sri Lanka culture what is next ? . Can the money replace ? .

sss Tuesday, 29 December 2015 09:18 AM

Is holding concerts like these the way you pay back to the people for supporting your carriers?

Simple Tuesday, 29 December 2015 09:49 AM

Great names should do great work??

Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 29 December 2015 10:03 AM

Make the tickets more affordable and settle the dues to CMC and then we are quits.

Top Cat Tuesday, 29 December 2015 12:23 PM

Why not the Directors be punished first of all?

Dinesh Tuesday, 29 December 2015 01:31 PM

This why Mahela was off colours at Big Bash match in Sydney.

Steve Tuesday, 29 December 2015 01:54 PM

Dont mix cricket with drama. Good lesson to the public.This news piece is good for the galleryKeep it up

saman Tuesday, 29 December 2015 06:32 PM

Sangakkara and Jayawardena, Please do not try to fool the public.

Udarath Friday, 01 January 2016 02:23 PM

Good step

Dee Monday, 28 December 2015 10:56 AM

Name the girl who threw the bra and also her size. We will compensate.

Copral Monday, 28 December 2015 10:18 AM

first start by sacking the CEO of the event company and replace with a proper mature qualified person who will take full responsibility for everything that takes place without giving lame excuses and passing the bucket around....

lee Monday, 28 December 2015 10:18 AM

Most organizers wouldnt have even bothered issuing a statement like this let alone refund money. This is the class of Mahela and Sanga..look and learn..

Nuke Monday, 28 December 2015 10:22 AM

Please we need more music artists to come here. Screw The pres, he doesnt know sh** . Hes talking as if he is a saint.

prof Monday, 28 December 2015 10:23 AM

Great names should not get involved in risky businesses, especially when so much publicity is involved.

Mm Monday, 28 December 2015 10:27 AM

Will the refund be like the Ceylinco payments

kan Monday, 28 December 2015 10:31 AM

Medicine after death.

Sri Lankan Monday, 28 December 2015 10:32 AM

Cricketing heros! So this is what you are doing now. If there was no inquiry, the cash would have been in your pockets!!!

Bingo Monday, 28 December 2015 10:45 AM

Now MY3 got something to jump up and down. Did he say anything about recent abduction by his beloved female minister? Did he say anything about wilpattu? Did he say anything for central bank thiefs? Did he forgotten jumbo cabinet? Oh for my3s record- girl who kissed this singer is daughter of ur air force commander. We heard your relative of this girl too.

SIRIBIRIS Monday, 28 December 2015 10:08 AM

TRUE GENTLEMEN OF CRICKET, WE LOVE YOU BOTH AND WE UNDERSTAND UR POINT. REALLY APPRECIATE THE MOVE SANGA

Be Fair Monday, 28 December 2015 11:14 AM

At least Sanga/Mahela had the guts to admit the mistake. But Bippity Boppity Boo seems to be rather disoriented with their admission.

Barus Monday, 28 December 2015 11:20 AM

These two SO CALLED Ambassadors of Sri Lanka, have minted a neat packet as a result of this debauchery. Made a few million dollars. So it is time to throw a few thousand dollars as a Media campaign to boost their images.What a Shame!!!!Thank God!!! one of these guys is not the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in UK. You both should retire and fade away from the limelight with dignity as you have maintained a decent reputation in the game of Cricket so far. Think of better ways to promote the image of Sri Lanka. Much unemployment is found in Sri Lanka. Help the needy and deserving and get your names imprinted in the hearts of the masses.

karu Monday, 28 December 2015 11:27 AM

You have not answered on that indecent doosra. via DM Android App

Bala Monday, 28 December 2015 12:51 PM

He who has not sinned cast the first stone. Accept Mahela and Sanga are mortal and made a mistake and true to their good form they admit. Who can get all decisions 100 percent - name one. Forgive their unintended error and let us move on. Shame that after the event everyone wants to blast two decent persons.

de silva Monday, 28 December 2015 01:24 PM

You may have experience in Crcket,but the way this event was organized and handled shows that you both have no experience.Beter to leave the board and save your names .

Mrhy Monday, 28 December 2015 01:50 PM

If the organizer was a person other than Sanga or Mahela, people would still be criticizing them but just because they are who they are, people are calling them gentlemen.Any other organizer would have released a statement obviously.They should be held accountable for how terrible the event was, do not give them a free pass just because they are heroes in the cricketing arena, Sri Lanka. Have pride in yourself as much as you have pride in them.

Banda Monday, 28 December 2015 02:29 PM

Learn from mistakes and do it better next time. We need events like this if we want to change the mind set of our people. We have to teach them how to "cheer", how to be in a queue, an behave in a public gathering. Most of our people know how to cheat and how to beat each other. No manners at all.

Ray Monday, 28 December 2015 02:31 PM

are you expecting Sanga and mahela to control the crowd? LOL.... a bra thrown and a girl jumping the stage are hardly news at these concerts. Grow up.

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Mahela, Sanga to compensate fans

Comments - 36

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