News Broadcasting
WSN claims $11m. in damages from Lanka cricket board?
MUMBAI: If its News Corp company Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) that is claiming damages from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for non-delivery of various rights and for damage to cricket properties during the World Cup tournament, in Sri Lanka it is the former part owner of GCC that is making its own damages claims.
World Sport Nimbus (formerly a 50 per cent stakeholder in GCC), the 50:50 JV between Harish Thawani’s Nimbus Communications and World Sport Group, has reportedly sought financial damages in the region of $ 11 million against the Sri Lanka cricket board (BCCSL).
The case is a fallout of BCCSL’s early termination in October 2001 of WSN’s television broadcasting contract. As per WSN’s original contract, it held the broadcast rights for international cricket played in the Emerald Isles till November 2003. Dubai-based Taj Television, which runs Ten Sports, subsequently picked up the cricket rights for a reported guarantee fee of $13.9 million.
These are the facts of the case: The BCCSL cancelled its three-year $27.1 million broadcasting agreement with WSN in October 2001 after complaining that WSN had “repeatedly missed payment deadlines”. The BCCSL then signed a fresh three-year deal with Taj Television valid from mid-2002 to mid-2005.
When WSN went to court on the matter, the BCCSL obtained an injunction against WSN in Sri Lanka but the legal wrangle moved to Singapore where WSN finally obtained an injunction overruling Colombo. A Singapore tribunal has ruled that BCCSL had wrongfully terminated WSN cricket website cricinfo.com recently reported.
The tribunal has thus far ordered the BCCSL to pay $768,667 plus legal costs of approximately $250,000 to WSN. Additionally, it has ruled that WSN is “entitled to recover from the BCCSL damages to be assessed.”
While the hearing date has been set for September, sources close to the proceedings say that WSN is claiming $ 11 million in damages. That means that the damages bill that has been thrown at the BCCSL is over $12 million.
And considering that the BCCSL board announced a $900,000 loss for 2002 (due primarily to the lack of inbound tours but also because of increased player salaries), the Singapore tribunal’s ruling has the potential of bankrupting the Lankan board.
New BCCSL president Thilanga Sumathipala, who was elected by a landslide last Friday (it was BCCSL’s first election in three years), has his task cut out trying to reach a fair settlement. It was Sumathipala who negotiated the original deal with WSN in 2000.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
