COLOMBO, Nov 9: The Sri Lankan cricket board (BCCSL) declared on Wednesday that it had secured "a smashing victory" in the legal fight against WSG Nimbus in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court.
WSG Nimbus had attempted to overturn an enjoining order obtained by the BCCSL preventing interference in fresh rights negotiations, but the judge ruled in the cricket boards favour.
Although WSG Nimbus announced the intention to appeal against the decision, a board spokesman declared afterwards: "This is a smashing win for the BCCSL and Sri Lankan cricket.
We have secured an injunction order against WSG Nimbus and they have withdrawn from the case." On Saturday, the BCCSL announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based Taj Television, after basic agreement was reached on a US$ 14 million, three-year year television, radio and sponsorship deal.
Both parties signed the MOU, despite the legal wrangle that erupted when the Sri Lankan cricket board suddenly cancelled an existing three-year deal after just 10 months.
WSG Nimbus, however, still maintain that the original agreement "is in full force and effect and that the BCCSLs purported termination is unlawful and of no effect and it will continue to protect its rights." The company is set to launch an appeal against todays decision on the basis that: "The Singapore International Arbitration Centre ("SIAC") is the exclusive forum for the resolution of disputes under the Agreement." Last week, a Singapore injunction was obtained restraining the board from continuing its action in Colombo.
WSG Nimbus is also believed to have informed Taj TV that they would be in breach of the Singapore court order if they entered into an agreement with the BCCSL.
Furthermore, they would be interfering with WSG Nimbuss contractual rights - rights which they would take all available steps to protect.
The BCCSL, though, remains adamant and deny that it is rendering itself in contempt of court by ignoring the Singapore order.
"That court order is not binding on the BCCSL because Singapore has no jurisdiction," said the spokesman, adding, "The court today upheld the decision that the Sri Lankan courts had jurisdiction." According to the WSG Nimbus the BCCSL is now required to nominate its proposed arbitrator by 9 November.
It is expected to ignore this deadline.
Meanwhile, TWI have been awarded the production rights by Taj TV for the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka and preparations are underway for the coverage of the first Test starting 13 November.