A petition has been filed in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court by civil rights activist Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, raising serious concerns about the operations of the London-based Lyca Group. The petition accuses the group’s Chairman and Founder, Subaskaran Allirajah, of using indirect and secretive methods to influence and acquire media companies in Sri Lanka. The activist claims that these actions could violate local laws and threaten national security.
Lyca Group, a multinational conglomerate, has significant media holdings in Sri Lanka including Swarnavahini, ETV and Shree FM
The Lyca Group, headed by Subaskaran Allirajah, has been making significant moves in Sri Lanka’s media sector. However, these activities have come under scrutiny. According to the petition filed by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Allirajah has been accused of acquiring media companies in Sri Lanka through complex, hidden methods to bypass local regulations.
Sri Lanka has strict laws that prevent foreign ownership of media outlets. But the petition claims that Allirajah has used “proxies” or middlemen to take control of 11 television and radio stations in the country. These stations include popular names like Monara TV, Sitha FM, Red FM, and Swarnavahini, among others. The petition argues that this scheme is unlawful and could pose serious risks to the country’s national security.
One of the key concerns raised in the petition is that the media outlets controlled by Lyca Group are in charge of important transmission infrastructure, including towers located in sensitive areas like Pidurutalagala. The petition warns that allowing foreign control of such critical infrastructure could be dangerous for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
Security Checks
The petition also highlights that several individuals involved in these media acquisitions have been flagged by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence for failing to pass security checks. Despite this, they are allegedly running media companies in the country.
The petition, filed in the public interest, calls for a review of these acquisitions and urges the government to take action against what it describes as an illegal attempt to control Sri Lanka’s media landscape.
The case is ongoing, and its outcome could have significant implications for both the media sector and the broader relationship between Sri Lanka and foreign businesses.
