Majority Sri Lanka and Indian Cricket fans have been deprived of the opportunity to watch the Indo–Lanka T20 ODI cricket series by Television rights mafia in Sri Lanka and sudden increase in the price of ticket to enter stadiums in India by increasing entertainment tax.
Sri Lankan television viewers have already lost the opportunity to watch the first two T20 matches free of charge due to unexpected action of blocking the transmission of Supreme TV, which acquired the right to broadcast it.
Although this blockade has been removed for the televising of the third T20, the mafia behind the sports broadcasting/ television rights for several years is still at work as it involves millions of rupees in deals with private TV channels.
Sri Lankan cricket fans had to pay to watch cricket matches on Dialog and PEO TV for many years, Supreme TV, which acquired the right to broadcast India-Sri Lanka cricket match series, has stepped in to broadcast it free of charge to local cricket fans
A sum of Rs.173 has been levied from a Dialog TV subscriber to watch a cricket match and in previous occasions collecting around Rs.200 million or more from all Sri Lankan cricket fans to to watch a match on Dialog TV.
The cricket match series, which commenced on January 3, included three T20Is and three ODIs.
Now the T 20 series has ended with a 2-1win for India and all Sri Lankans will have the opportunity to watch the India-Sri Lanka ODI free on Dialog TV (Channel 20), PEO TV (Channel 140) and Freesat (Channel 17).
They have the opportunity to watch ‘Supreme TV’ by tuning the television to UHF 47 (Islandwide), UHF 49 (Western), UHF 28 (Southern), UHF 56 (Sabaragamuwa) and UHF 32 (Karagathanna) from today.
Meanwhile Indian cricket lovers are shocked after hearing that ticket rates for the upcoming India-Sri Lanka ODI to be played are exorbitant at Barsapara Cricket Stadium Guwahati, India, commencing from 2pm onwards (Sri Lanka time).
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has sparked off a huge controversy by saying that those who cannot afford it need not go to watch the match, Indian media reported.
The minister made the controversial remarks on Sunday when reporters asked him whether the government would consider withdrawing the alleged decision to hike the entertainment tax to be levied on the spectators.
Indian team has been strengthened with the return of their two senior player’s skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kholi and with the presence of these two players Indians have a strong batting line up to compete with Sri Lanka.
The crowd support and home advantage is an advantage for the Indians but Sri Lanka cannot be underestimated at this ODI series. Winning against India in India is not an easy task but our team is in good shape to battle with them said Sri Lanka Skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Sri Lanka most probably will include young spinner and all rounder Dunith Wellalage replacing Maheesh Theekshana while they are looking to strengthen their fast bowling department by adding an extra paceman, said senior cricket official.
