The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) announced today that their three-year television, radio and sponsorship deal with WSG Nimbus had been terminated.

An official BCCSL release issued this afternoon from Colombo states: "The Master Rights Agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) and WSG Nimbus Pte. Ltd. has ceased to exist."

"The BCCSL has called for expressions of interest for the television rights, radio rights, title sponsorship and ground runners from the companies which were short-listed by the pervious administration."

According to a BCCSL spokesman, WSG Nimbus had paid for the England and Indian tours to Sri Lanka earlier this year, but had "repeatedly delayed payments" to the extent that the board was being put in a "serious financial situation."

They claim that WSG Nimbus's failure to meet payment deadlines in the run-up to the scheduled West Indies tour of Sri Lanka forced them into taking action.

The BCCSL sought the advice of the Attorney General last week and, according to the BCCSL, he was in agreement that the "terms of contract had been breached" and that the agreement therefore "ceased to operate."

The BCCSL then sought and received an injunction from the Commercial High Court in Sri Lanka, which prevents WSG Nimbus in interfering in negotiations with other rights brokers and broadcasters.

Earlier in the year, just before England's tour, the BCCSL had also taken action in the courts against WSG Nimbus. On that occasion the dispute was settled amicably, but BCCSL now maintains that the terms of that settlement were not fully adhered to.

The BCCSL has called for fresh tenders for a three-year period, starting November 2001, which includes tours by West Indies, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Pakistan, England, Australia and South Africa.

Despite the potentially devastating effects of America's war against Afganisation on tours to the Asian region the BCCSL remained upbeat about the future negotiations.

"Sri Lanka has steadily risen up the Test and One-Day ratings," said the board spokesman. "We have some high profile and very exciting players and with a number of top teams coming to Sri Lanka over the coming three-years we are optimistic of reaching an excellent deal for Sri Lankan cricket."

Trans World International (TWI) narrowly lost out on the original deal, reputed to be USD 27.1 million, and are now believed to be favourites to secure the rights.

WSG Nimbus had also been negotiating a new three-year team sponsorship deal in recent weeks. The BCCSL claimed today that this would not be affected, saying that the successful company, believed to be Dilmah Tea, was now dealing directly with the board and was expected to formally sign on Friday.

© CricInfo