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BoI ads back on state TV after suspension
By Nalaka Nonis
After four days of suspension, a series of commercials highlighting Board of Investment (BoI) achievements were aired again yesterday by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on its channels following strong protest by BoI Chairman Arjunna Mahendran.

The commercials which portrayed investment projects achieved by the Government in the past two years had been suspended after being aired for one week on a presumed basis that they were election advertisements for which a higher charge had to be paid.

Mr. Mahendran said the commercials were not meant to be election advertisements of the Government but depicted the achievements of the BoI in the past two years. He said the advertisements showed investment projects such as Micro Car Project at Polgahawela, J.J. Apparel in Sithawaka and Load Star Solid Tyre Project in Matara.

Mr. Mahendran said he sent a letter to SLRC Chairman Harim Peiris, expressing shock and disappointment over the abrupt suspension since it was a breach of contractual agreement that was entered into between SLRC and J. Walter Thompson (Pvt) Ltd who were acting as media agents on behalf of the BoI.

However, Mr. Peiris denied that the ads were suspended and said that they were being continued. An official for J. Walter Thompson (Pvt) Ltd said that they received an assurance from the SLRC that ads had been accepted as normal commercials and were being aired from yesterday. Airing of the BoI advertisements in SLRC had started on March 10 and continued till March 16.

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