As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off, a massive controversy is brewing behind the scenes that should have every Sri Lankan cricket fan fuming. While our Lions fought hard to secure a 20-run victory against Ireland on February 8th, many fans across the island were left in the dark—literally.

The reason? A calculated, “financial-first” gamble by Dialog Axiata PLC that has left nationwide free-to-air (FTA) coverage in shambles.

The “Supreme” Failure: Too Little, Too Late

In a move that reeks of corporate greed over public service, Dialog—the exclusive rights holder for 2026–2028 handpicked TV Supreme as its FTA partner. The problem? Supreme TV reportedly lacks the infrastructure to reach every corner of Sri Lanka.

Even more shocking, despite the tournament being currently underway, leaked documents reveal that TV Supreme only formally moved to expand transmission by renting airtime on Vasantham TV on February 8th—the very day Sri Lanka played its first match!

The “Vasantham” Bailout: Supreme Rents Airtime to Save Face

The most damning revelation is the desperate move by TV Supreme to “acquire airtime” on Vasantham TV. Why? Because they simply cannot deliver the “nationwide coverage” Dialog promised the ICC.

Despite boasting about “unprecedented scale” in January, TV Supreme has been forced to rent space on Vasantham TV’s frequencies just to keep the signal alive in critical areas.

The Admission of Failure:
Dialog explicitly admitted there is a “direct coverage impact” because of “existing CSN transmission limitations”. They knew the coverage was broken, yet this fix was only finalized as the World Cup was already happening.

The Reality Check:
Why was this “acquisition of airtime” by TV Supreme only formally set out on February 8th, after the tournament had already started?

The “Limited” Solution:
This isn’t a gift to fans. The arrangement is “strictly limited” to specific stations—Kokavil, Colombo, Madolsima, and Jaffna—and expires the moment the cup is over on March 9th. They aren’t investing in Sri Lankan fans; they are just doing the bare minimum to avoid an ICC penalty.

Clock is Ticking: Two Days to the Next Match

Sri Lanka’s next clash is against Oman on February 12th in Kandy. We are just two days away, and the “nationwide” coverage is still being patched together like a leaking roof in a monsoon.

Crucial Match Missed:
How many fans in rural areas missed the thrilling performances of Hasaranga and Theekshana against Ireland because of these “transmission limitations”?

Upcoming High-Stakes Games:
With a massive clash against Australia looming on February 16th, can we trust this last-minute scramble?

Where is the Accountability?

One has to ask: What is Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) doing? As a co-host of this World Cup, SLC has a moral obligation to ensure every citizen can watch the national team for free. Did the ICC know that Dialog was sub-licensing to an operator that couldn’t actually reach the fans?

While Dialog hides behind “contractual obligations” and “reach assumptions,” the fans are being squeezed. If you can’t get the shaky FTA signal, Dialog is happy to sell you a subscription on their apps or website—proving that for them, this World Cup isn’t about “Powering the Passion of the Nation,” it’s about powering their bottom line. Even on their apps and website, streaming viewers are forced to pay.

The Verdict:
This is a slap in the face to the Sri Lankan cricket fan. To wait until the tournament starts to fix a known coverage crisis is not just a “mistake”—it’s a betrayal of the rights of the viewers.