SLC secretary’s company wins SLC’s TV rights

23 May 2012 04:06 am - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The television rights of the Sri Lankan cricket team’s matches for the territory of Sri Lanka have been offered to sports channel Carlton Sports Network (CSN) for three years from 2012 to 2015, Sri Lanka Cricket President Upali Dharmadasa said yesterday.

CSN had been the only bidder for the local TV rights in response to advertisements SLC published in January in local newspapers and also on their website, so the SLC Sponsorship committee which met yesterday decided to grant it to CSN, Dharmadasa added.

Earlier last month, the SLC Executive Committee also approved CSN’s bid of Rs. 125 million for the three years.

This comes as a stupendous achievement for a company which is just 15 months old having been incorporated on February 10 last year.

State Television Sri Lanka Rupavahini who had almost enjoyed a monopoly on local TV rights ever since Sri Lanka gained Test status has been notable absentee in the bidding process.

Rupavahini Chairman Mohan Samaranayake admitted they did not make a bid but said that they are still interested in winning the rights.

“I have given my instructions regarding this matter to the officers concerned to write to them. I think our Marketing Manager has written to Sri Lanka Cricket, But I am sorry, at the moment I don’t know what the reply was from SLC. Probably I can tell that by tomorrow morning,” said Samaranayake who explained that they are also interested in the rights.

Rupavahini made a whopping Rs 556 million revenue during last year’s cricket world cup having spent only Rs. 143 million to win the rights, and failure to secure SLC’s local cricket rights is likely to come as a deadly blow to the loss-making TV giant owned by the government.

The fact that SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga is also the Chief Executive of CSN created a controversy in recent times and the conflict of interest issue also received attention from the Sri Lanka Parliament’s Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) which investigated Sri Lanka Cricket last year.

“The dissatisfaction of the Committee was expressed on offering the tender to an organization in which the Secretary of the Cricket Board was functioning as the CEO,” stated the COPE report tabled in parliament on December 1 last year.

Last year, the government passed a law that all local television and radio broadcast rights for cricket matches will only be awarded to state media or dedicated sports channels.

CSN interestingly was the only dedicated sports media channel at the time the law was passed in July last year.

CSN first won the local TV rights for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in June last year.

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Comments - 38

Amila.G Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:42 AM

Worst era.

Dinesh Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:14 AM

Is this channel has Isalnd wide coverage??? I dont think so

Kondebandapucheena Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:17 AM

This is Daylight Robbery Please expose about this

Wara Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:20 AM

Too late my dear...

DireStraits Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:26 AM

Yes, absolutely correct. Media should! If not, you are part of the problem. Well done to Dailymirror to have brought this to light.

Marina Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:55 AM

Ssshhh don;r question such matters which the public should not know!

Amila.G Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:07 AM

If you are dot corrupt ,You are out of the System.

saradiyal Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:11 AM

Sadly this is the reality in our country. It has become a heaven for corrupt people from politicians to judges, rapists, drug dealers, contract killers...

Huxley Perera Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:27 AM

AYESCHAIRYA OF SRI- LANKA. Next to Savings Bank Deal.

willows Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:40 AM

Miracle of the Asia???

Gayan Samarasekara Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:11 AM

I smell something fishy here..

ira Wednesday, 23 May 2012 07:45 AM

Everybody knows who is behind Carlton. Something close to national flower!

rakesp Wednesday, 23 May 2012 08:48 AM

Wonder of Asia?

ANTON Wednesday, 23 May 2012 09:22 AM

We can watch hell of a lot TV commercial adds.

P.D.Vidanage Wednesday, 23 May 2012 09:43 AM

Some Rupavahi top technical officers getting salaries from one company in Ward place,

Dinithi Wednesday, 23 May 2012 10:20 AM

125 million is rupees is 1 million dollars. JUST 1mn dollars for the entire 3 years? This is crazy. Do you guys have any decency? Malinga and Mahela earn more than 1.5 million each in IPL., to put in to perspective. How can you pay salaries to circketers when you sell TV rights this low? The CEO and owners of CSN (you know who) are effectively getting the money that could have been used to pay sri lankan cricketers and improve our cricket infrastructure and win more matches. Cant we get SF in to the SLC board please?

Loren Wednesday, 23 May 2012 12:01 PM

Amazing, Typical India. Highway robbers.

One million dollar for three years. It is almost free to an unknown TV channel.

Rataweneuwen api Thursday, 24 May 2012 03:32 AM

Only in India, never in Sri Lanka!

citizen1 Thursday, 24 May 2012 04:22 AM

...unless the advertisers/companies boycott them...some food for thought.

Asanka Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:54 AM

CSN is owned by King Rajapaksa's second son .

Manik Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:33 AM

This fellow Nishantha Ranatunga must be a fantastically rich fellow.

buffaloa citizen Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:34 AM

So the Presidents TV station has obviously won the rights and going to be a rich station...again obviously. The best part is no other station dared sending an offer....again obviously, who would want to face repercussions fro state terrorism.

Diljith Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:36 AM

Who is Carlton??? Never heard of them?? Why was it not awarded to a legitimate known, proven TV channel.

Wimal_Modawansa Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:34 AM

Good govenrance as per the Sri Lankan standards.

Lalith Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:37 AM

Dedicated sports channel??? Carlton???? Another big illegal money making deal. Sickening.

Jan Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:40 AM

Are u kidding me?

ishak Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:38 AM

Rs 125 million for three years...its could be a joke!

Punchi Putha Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:45 AM

This is what you call day light corruption, way to go!

Punchi Putha Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:47 AM

Now CSN can sell the rights to Rupavahini for 400 Million and make a 275Million profit :-)

Sachi Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:29 AM

baduth horunge..gonnuth horunnge....ha..ha

samuel Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:56 AM

So much for Good Governance policy of SLC.

Fayad Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:55 AM

Nothing But Carlton
Olympics ?????

Dinesh Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:00 AM

This channel is owned by bosses second son.

Dinesh Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:01 AM

With the T20 world cup they can earn alot since no one bibded it seems it pre arranged bidding

DireStraits Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:00 AM

This story wreaks of conflict of interest and corruption. Those who are involved know who you are. Remember this, you are stealing from the nation. This is money that belongs to the public. By doing this you are taking away funding that would go to hospitals, schools and similar pubic services. Due to direct consequences, there will be lives lost. You may enjoy this money in your bank account, drive around in your flashy cars and live in your mansions. However karma always catches up with you, if not you, your children will pay for your ill deeds. Serves you right! Karma you beauty, go get them bastards!

kevin Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:59 AM

125 mn is not enough

buffaloa citizen Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:28 AM

So fellows like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Ambani, Tata are nothing to our local magnates like the Rajapakse's.

Harry Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:30 AM

Together all media should highlight these transactions( at least daily mirror / Lankadeepa ) & get people to open their eyes ...

I think government had huge preasure regarding the NSB stock scandal ... and they didnt have any choice but reverse the deal ...

This country's going to dogs ..... sigh !!!

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SLC secretary’s company wins SLC’s TV rights

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