Was the airtime of Channel Eye leased or not?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Government factions are making conflicting statements regarding the lease of air time of Channel Eye of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, to the Lyca Group.

Sri Lanka's Media Minister & Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said that with his approval, the Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Rupavahini had leased the airtime of Channel Eye to Lyca Group for a limited period.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (15) the Minister said that the airtime of Channel Eye was leased for Rs. 25 million per month. 

Minister Bandula Gunawardena said cabinet approval was not necessary for it.

The Minister said that in the future, the airtime will be leased following a competitive bidding process. 

However, SLPP legislator S. M. Chandrasena told reporters on Wednesday (16), that the cabinet paper to lease the airtime of Channel Eye was dismissed.