Three probes on UK-based Lyca’s ownership of Lankan media companies
Three state agencies have launched investigations into how the United Kingdom-based Lyca Group had acquired 12 local media institutions.
The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the Defence Ministry has instructed the State Intelligence Service to conduct a comprehensive investigation over the matter. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sumathi Dharmawardena told court that the office of the Inspector General of Police has informed the AG that the Criminal Investigation Department has sought the assistance of the Financial Intelligence Unit with regard to Ben Holdings (Private) Limited and Blue Summit Capital Management Pte Limited, affiliates of Lyca Group. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has also begun a probe into this acquisition, he added.
ASG Dharmawardena made these revelations when the SC bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Menaka Wijesundera and Sampath Abayakoon considered a fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Citizen’s Movement Against Fraud, Corruption and Waste Jamuni Kamantha Thushara challenging the acquisition. President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, who appeared for the petitioner, made submissions that state agencies had failed to follow due process before granting media licences to a web of media companies controlled by Lyca Mobile UK.
After considering the submissions, the SC granted leave to proceed to the petition and fixed further hearing to December 2.
