Image courtesy of: Sunday Observer
Dialog Axiata’s bid was higher than that of the Sri Lanka Tea Board
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have confirmed that the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Dialog Axiata will be the national team’s major sponsors over the next three years after both companies signed contracts.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board’s deal was worth Sri Lankan rupees 530 million (approx. US$ 4.15 million) and they will be the national side’s sponsors during all matches abroad, starting with the ongoing tri-series, involving India and the West Indies.
Meanwhile, Dialog Axiata’s contract was worth about Rs. 700 million (approx. US$ 5.47 million) and they will be Sri Lanka’s sponsors during all home series.
During the bidding process, both companies had entered bids to be the national team’s sponsors for both home and away matches, and even though Dialog Axiata’s bid was substantially higher than the Tea Board, SLC decided to compromise and give both companies a slice of the cake in order to accommodate “national interests”.
“Sri Lankan Tea and the national cricket team has been able to bring honour and fame to the country. We are proud to sponsor Sri Lanka Cricket,” plantation industries minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.