He further stated that the Govisetha and Wasana Sampatha lotteries that were due to be released to the market on 31-10-2016 were not released as the printing operation was not carried out properly which could result in loss of income to the National Lotteries Board.

When contacted for clarification of these allegations, the NLB Chairman Attorney Shyamila Perera rejected the allegations levelled against the NLB adding that no matter who made these statements, they were false and the NLB has already made all necessary arrangements to release the lotteries to the market at the appropriate time.

Responding to queries about the complications that have allegedly arisen at the NLB regarding the printing of lottery tickets, the Chairman said:

“The party that was entrusted with the printing of lotteries tickets had fallen back on the tender procedures and as a result they will lose the tender from October. However the NLB has taken all measures to counter this issue without affecting the releasing of lotteries tickets to the market on time.”

New parties win the tender

“We immediately deployed the new parties who won the new tender and had the lottery tickets printed on schedule. Therefore, there will not be any issue regarding the printing of the lottery tickets. There are several printers who have fulfilled the requirement criteria to print lotteries tickets without any hindrance.

We have carried out the awarding of these tenders following proper tender procedures and as such, we are not in the least worried about the statements made by anyone. Moreover, we are not prepared to change our tender procedures due to anyone trying to pressure us.”