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TV row threatens England tour!
By Marlon Fernandopulle
England’s Winter Cricket Tour of Sri Lanka is set to run into stormy weather and even into a legal battle as the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) prepares to terminate the existing television rights contract with Taj Television signed two years ago and call for fresh bids.

The current administration of the Cricket Board which was elected in June is of the view that the three year contract signed by Taj Television with the Interim Administration in November 2001 is null and void as it was signed with an Interim Committee and not an elected body.

However the Director of Taj Television Jude de Valliere when contacted by The Sunday Times said, ‘The contract we signed with the Cricket Board in November 2001 is Legal and Binding for three years, upto September 2004.

This will mean that Taj Television will have the legal rights for telecasting the three tests and one dayers between England and Sri Lanka in November-December. As the television rights contract entails the party to secure the sponsors for the Test and One day series it is believed that Taj Television has already spoken to potential sponsors for the England Tour.

Questions are being raised among knowledgeable cricket administrators as to why and how contracts signed by parties with the Interim Administrations of the past are cancelled or declared null and void when these Interim Administrations were duly appointed according to the country's sports laws by the Ministry of Sports.

With the BCCSL of the view that the contract is null and void, and Taj Television firmly stating that the contract is legal and binding, it will not be surprising if the issue ends up in a legal battle.The Secretary of the BCCSL Mohan de Silva acknowledged that there are contradictory views on the television rights issue with Taj Television and confirmed having discussions with them to resolve the contentious issue. 'We are confident that it could be resolved,the Secretary said' when contacted by the Sunday Times.

The Dubai based Taj Television Company signed the three year contract in 2001 after the Interim Cricket Board terminated the existing three year Television contract with WSG Nimbus after only eight months citing a breach of the contract.

However WSG later filed a law suit against the BCCSL for unlawfully and illegally terminating their three year contract and won damages to the tune of US$ 11 million.
The BCCSL which is currently on a bad wicket with their finances have been speaking to WSG recently in a bid to reduce the damages claimed, and expects a favourable response soon.

It was only a couple of months back that the BCCSL President Thilanga Sumathipala successfully persuaded the ICC to release a couple of Millions withheld due to the delay in signing the World Cup contracts.

Aussies agree to play five ODI’s
The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has successfully negotiated with Australian Cricket Board to increase the number of one dayers from three to five during Australia's tour to Sri Lanka next year.

The Secretary of the BCCSL speaking to The Sunday Times confirmed that the Aussies will play five one dayers. We are happy that the Australians agreed to our request to play five one day games instead of three,the Secretary said.

In addition the Australians will also play three tests in Galle, Kandy and Colombo during their tour to Sri Lanka in February and March. Sri Lanka will also tour Australia a few months later in June to play two tests and three One dayers.

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