A three member probe committee that looked into alleged corruption in the Sports Ministry has criticized the sale of television right of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to a private television channel dedicated to sports events.
Carlton Sports Network (CSN) was the only company that bid for rights in 2012 to telecast cricket matches within Sri Lanka and the three member committee appointed by Minister of Sports Naveen Dissanayake criticized the deal. The committee noted that the deal was unethical and unfair.
Former SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga was the CEO of CSN when the company won the television rights. Ranatunga was cricket’s most powerful administrator in the last five years, and the probe report said that officials of rival company Rupavahini, who had the rights to telecast cricket previously had criticized Ranatunga’s role. They had said CSN had undue advantage due to Ranatunga’s position as SLC Secretary.
The probe committee comprised public servants D. Dissanayake, N. Pathmanathan and Rusly Hussein and pointed out unusual behavior in advertising for the opportunity. “SLC had advertised for television bids by publishing an advertisement in the Job Opportunities section under the title sponsorship opportunities. Interested parties were requested to visit Sri Lanka Cricket website to obtain details,” the report said questioning the size of the advertisement
The committee went onto state that awarding rights for a three year period was away from normal practice and remarked that Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation could have offered a better price for the three year period.
The owners of the television company are believed to be the sons of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, they have distanced themselves of any involvement with the company in recent times. During yesterday’s media briefing, the Minister of Sports Naveen Dissanayake was asked whether the owners of the company are known. “Within the next ten days we will get a clearer a picture. There is something major coming up and I have a feeling that there could be an arrest around the corner,” Dissanayake said.
