Peo TV, Sri Lanka Telecom’s internet protocol television (IPTV) service, has taken three international sports channels off its network citing difficulties in making payments for the service providers in US dollars, officials said.
Three channels owned by the Indian multinational Star Sports network have not been on air on Peo TV from Monday (28) due to payment difficulties, a Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) official told Economy Next on Thursday (31).
SLT is Sri Lanka’s national telecommunications provider, with the government owning 50.5 percent of the company.
“A few channels aren’t being aired because we are unable to make some of the payments. However, we are working with the bank to get this problem solved. It will most likely be resolved by today or tomorrow,” the official said.
There are issues with remitting payments and restrictions revolving around payments and that is the only barrier in providing the service to consumers, the official said.
The privately owned Dialog Axiata Plc, however, has so far not experienced such issues, a spokesperson said.
Sri Lanka is facing a severe dollar shortage amid a debt crisis, as indiscriminate money printing and dwindling forex reserves take a toll on the island.