“A breakthrough for Sri Lanka” – Sanath Jayasuriya

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain and one of the greatest to ever play the game, Sanath Jayasuriya has called the recent awarding of ICC Cricket Rights in Sri Lanka to a local Sri Lankan TV network as a much-needed positive outcome for Sri Lanka.

“Sirasa being awarded ICC Rights goes beyond just a straightforward television rights deal. It is a breakthrough for Sri Lanka and something every one of us can be proud of”, noted Jayasuriya.

Sirasa TV, owned by MTV Channel Pvt Ltd., recently secured cricket rights in Sri Lanka up until the end of 2025, a landmark agreement with the ICC and a first for a local media company. MTV will exploit these rights through their Free-To-Air channels; TV1, Shakthi TV and Sirasa TV. The digital rights will be exploited by www.sirasatv.lk and by icc.tv enabling more fans to watch ICC world events over the next two years.

On announcing the deal, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice highlighted the ICC’s delight in partnering with MTV, which he described as ‘an exciting addition to their suite of broadcast partners”.

“This was one of the most complex deals we have concluded spanning six-tournaments and four World Cups. At the same time, its great to be able to say that a 100% Sri Lankan Broadcaster is amongst the ICC’s glittering stable of global partners”, noted Chevaan Daniel, Group Director at The Capital Maharaja Group, that owns MTV.