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SLRC to improve match telecast
By Nilika de Silva
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation's Channel Eye giving the live telecast of the ICC final between Sri Lanka and India today said it would "try to improve its coverage without interrupting it by advertisements" but cannot give an assurance.

Rupavahini Chairman Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake told The Sunday Times the SLRC would do its best to give the viewers an undisturbed telecast of the finals, though he as unable to guarantee it. His comments came after several viewers complained about the manner in which advertisements overlapped the playing time during the semi final clash between Sri Lanka and Australia on Friday.

Rupavahini's Deputy Director General Upali Arambewela admitted that there had been a 'few misses'. Citing one instance, he said McGrath had taken a wicket but the appeal was not seen because the commercials had cut in. However, Mr. Arambewela said the station had paid big sums to show the viewers this championship. No other station could afford this, he said.

'We have to please our clients, we have to please our viewers and we have to at least cover some of the costs', he said. Meanwhile, the Main Control Room of the SLRC said it could not show more than 200 ads scheduled to be shown during Friday's semi final telecast because the match ended about 10 overs to spare.

Viewers also complained that some of the spot advertisements were displayed while the telecast was on, covering important statistics displayed on the screen.

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