Three separate state agencies in Sri Lanka have launched investigations into the acquisition of 12 local media outlets by the UK-based Lyca Group.
The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that the Ministry of Defence has instructed the State Intelligence Service to conduct a comprehensive probe into the matter. Additionally, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has engaged the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for assistance regarding Ben Holdings (Private) Company and Blue Summit Capital Management Private Company—two entities affiliated with the Lyca Group. These details were disclosed by Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena.
Dharmawardena also confirmed that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has initiated its own inquiry into the acquisitions.
The revelations were made during the Supreme Court hearing of a Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of the Citizens’ Movement Against Fraud, Corruption and Waste. The petition challenges the media acquisitions and was reviewed by a bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Menaka Wijesundara, and Sampath Abayakoon.
President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, representing the petitioner, argued that proper procedures were not followed by state institutions in granting media licenses to companies controlled by Lyca Mobile.
After reviewing the submissions, the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the petition and scheduled the next hearing for December 2.
