Carlton Sports Network alias CSN was reinstated today (26). It’s telecast was stopped in 2016 after the then Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Communication revoked its license, citing various discrepancies in the license issued and for contradicting with the provisions in the Sri Lanka Telecommunications act. no 25 of 1991.
This order was made by the Court of Appeal today as the matter was in progress at the Court of Appeal, where CSN Management had challenged the decision made in 2016 by the Ministry.
Today the Media Ministry representatives agreed to withdraw the letter of revocation of license issued by them, as the parties to the action had agreed for a settlement.
The CoA entered into a decision as there was no basis to continue the action after the Ministry of Media revoked the letter of revocation.
The Court of Appeal also ordered to give back the same frequencies on which CSN was operating previously.
Several CSN executives including Nishantha Ranatunga, Rohan Weliwita and Yoshitha Rajapaksa were arrested by the FCID in 2016 on money laundering charges over their dealings in the channel. All them have denied the charges and have blamed it as political victimisation.