Sri Lanka – Olympic rights to stay with SLRC

The exclusive broadcasting rights in Sri Lanka to the 2012 London Olympics are to remain with the state owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Vivalanka.com reports.

A Sri Lankan newspaper had claimed the Carlton Sports Network (CSN), reportedly owned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family, sought to acquire the TV rights from the Asia Broadcasting Union affiliate SLRC.

Speaking to the BBC Sinhala service, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said he was not aware of such a move.

“So far I was not informed of any such attempt to get Olympic broadcasting rights for the CSN,” the minister said, adding: “If the Rupavahini has received the exclusive rights,that will not be changed.”

So far, badminton champion Niluka Karunaratne is the only Sri Lankan to have qualified to represent the South Asian country at the Olympics.