Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of Sri Lanka cricket board (SLC) has claimed openly to the media that Upcoming Nidahas trophy would be ‘One of the biggest revenue generate’ tournament in island’s cricket history. However, Without the knowledge of Sumathipala, Some ‘Powerful Officials’ of SLC are spending millions on the Nidahas trophy events, in order to get their pockets overflowing!
SLC has made its intention loud and clear that Nidahas trophy must be considered a milestone in Sri Lanka cricket history. However, how much revenue SLC would be able to garner is a thing of future! Though, the board has approved millions on the Gala dinner, Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
According to reliable sources, a “staggering Rs. 18 million has been given just for ShiFT agency fees – and this is without actual production fees for sounds, lights, stages, printing and other things.
the SLC is going to spend approximately 3 Million for Opening ceremony, 8 Million for the Gala dinner and further 1.5 Million for the closing ceremony.
Furthermore, spending for the art production, lighting and sound has been excluded from this approved budget, that will cost approximately another 1 Million to SLC. This is for the ceremonies only. There is Also 1.5 million for a book, and about 2.5 million for other things like logo design, artworks etc. Not only this, a further 1.5 million have been approved for the theme song. Shift Integrated is claiming it’s for a particular singer. However, when Cricket Age investigated, it learnt that particular singer did the Dialog song for a mere 4-5 Lakhs in past.
During the investigation, Cricket Age learnt some shocking facts. Shift Integrated, an event company has bagged the deal for Gala dinner and Opening-Closing Ceremonies. However, No tenders, no Presentation were invited by the SLC, and were directly given to Shift.
It has also emerged that Ravin Wickramaratne, the powerful and Controversial Assistant Secretary of the board is the mastermind behind this deal.
“Ravin Wickramaratne Favours Shift and allowed them to sweep the deal without any procedure. Shift is the same company, who notoriously handled One Team One Nation Campaign in past” A Source told Cricket Age.
It is noteworthy that in recent times, Ravin has become notorious for Mysterious things. Few weeks ago, Sports ministry has declared him one of the main culprit of Panadura-Kalutara fixing scandal. Recently Cricket Age published the news how Ravin influenced SLC high performance coaches to go for the commentary during Domestic Premier league tournament.
“Since last few weeks, Sumathipala has been too busy in his political things. So without his proper knowledge, Shift got the deal for the Nidahas trophy and Ravin directly influenced all this” Source further revealed.
The Gala dinner will be organized before the final of the Nidahas trophy, on March 15.
