groundviews » Unsolicited SMS messages are spam. Please desist Mr. President.

Unsolicited SMS messages are spam. Please desist Mr. President.

January 1, 2010 at 7:44 pm · Categories: Elections, Media and Communications, Politics and Governance | by Groundviews

All mobile phone subscribers, across all networks got an SMS from the President this morning – “Kiwu paridi obata NIDAHAS, NIVAHAL RATAK laba dunnemi. Idiri anagathaya sarwapparakarayenma Wasanawantha Wewa! SUBA NAWA WASARAK WEWA! Mahinda Rajapaksa” (As I promised, I gave you a free and independent country. May your future be successful in all ways. Happy New Year!)

Many thought it was a hoax until it was confirmed in the media that the message was legit.

At the conservative estimate of 1 rupee per message, and around 12.6 million mobile phone accounts in Sri Lanka, this one SMS message could have cost over US$ 110,000 to send out. A number of pertinent questions arise around this extraordinary SMS message.

Did anyone pay for this SMS message sent from the President’s office, and if so, exactly how much of our money was spent? One mobile operator had told Daily Mirror that the SMS was sent to all of their subscribers following a request from the President. Emphasis ours. Therefore, if the broadcast of the SMS was done pro bono, could it be taken as deeply partisan behaviour by telcos towards the incumbent Executive? What would happen if all 21 of the presidential candidates also made similar requests that were acceded to by mobile telecoms operators?

Furthermore, in the case of Mobitel, with a majority share owned by the State, could this ‘request’ by the incumbent Executive also be taken as yet another instance of the misuse of state resources for electioneering? One also wonders whether in the context of the upcoming Presidential elections, the option of sending a New Year’s greeting was open to all candidates and not just the incumbent?

A number of subscribers on Dialog Telekom (and perhaps other networks) also got an unsolicited SMS from the Media Bureau of the Sri Dalada Maligawa today, invoking upon them the blessings of the Sacred Tooth Relic. While perhaps heartwarming for the faithful, there was again no way to respond or to opt out from receiving similar SMS’s in the future. Even more annoyingly, customers would have had to pay for this spam SMS if they were out of the country.

The President’s New Year greeting via SMS and the one by the Sri Dalada Maligawa Media Bureau raise vital concerns over the erosion of privacy. How does one opt out from getting these messages? Bloggers who have called up mobile phone companies to opt out of messages from the President have been told they cannot do so. What right do mobile phone companies have to give out and use private mobile numbers for non-vital, partisan communications and propaganda, without prior permission from customers?

Update – 3rd January 2010
The truly pernicious nature of this SMS is coming to light with news reports suggesting that it is in fact the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) that had instructed mobile telcos to it out. CJ’s comment below points to a lead news story in the Financial Times on Saturday, 2nd January 2010 that flags serious concerns over the delivery and content of this SMS, especially in the context of the up-coming elections.

According to the news story, one mobile operator, Dialog Telekom, is not going to charge the TRC for the transmission of the message. So in effect, this is free publicity (only) for the incumbent Executive, delivered by all mobile telcos in Sri Lanka, ostensibly at the behest of the telecoms regulator! As other independent commentators have noted, the TRC has interpreted Section 5 (f) of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act in an incredibly novel way to mean that it can and will at the behest of the Executive or Government order all telcos to disseminate partisan information and propaganda. If unchecked, what does this portend for hapless customers in the future? And as noted in the original article above, by complying with the TRC’s instruction, can a prima facie case also be made on the misuse of state property in the case of Mobitel?

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daya dissanayake said,

January 1, 2010 @ 7:56 pm

this SMS is just a very minor irritation when compared to all the election propaganda by all media for one or the other candidate. why are people protesting only about the SMS. The other propaganda too would be costing much more than this SMS. we pay for all of them, directly or indirectly, irrespective of the candidate.

about daladam mailgawa, there are two web sites already. why do we need a third?

Nibras Bawa said,

January 1, 2010 @ 10:06 pm

Hey hey guys, cool down. I don’t consider this an evil act or a spam SMS to begin with. If anything, its just a new year wish from the first citizen of the country, and i consider it my privilege to have received it. In fact i was pleasantly surprised.

As for permission, its like you saying i need to first ask for your permission if i want to smile with you if i see you on the road somewhere. You don’t say “first ask me if you can smile with me and then smile with me if i grant you permission”. Lame, isn’t it? Kind gestures don’t require anyone’s permission.

Would you have responded this way had you received a SMS that said “Tsunami Alert, Please my countrymen take your precautions. With love Mahinda Rajapakse”. In fact you would have hailed him as hero. You wouldn’t say he sent you spam SMS. So the hypocrisy is not with the incumbent, rather with some citizens.

Its not like the president wished only this year. He has always wished us on every single occassion be it Avurudu, Diwali, Christmas, Eid or Independence day. Traditionally it has been done through print, tv and radio. So it’s a customary thing and just that the president got a little too creative and personal this time around with an SMS. For me its a good thing and a welcoming change.

Who paid? I’d think president’s office is entitled to a media budget as per the constitution of SL. I am not sure though. I’m just thinking they would have used funds from properly allocated budgets.

Had there been no election around the corner, you wouldn’t have got this aggravated.

I even received an SMS from Dalada Maligawa. For the record i am a Muslim. Obvious choice would have been to send wishes only to the buddhists. I however took it in good spirit. Its a wish from a sacred place of worship eventhough i may not belong that faith. So its OK. In fact i was thrilled to receive that SMS from the Maligawa, a place i have great respect for.

A wish is what it is, wish. And i think its a good thing. I am really not sure why our self righteous society is getting all agitated over this petty issue when there are bigger issues at hand.

Yes, one can always argue the legality, technicality, morality and so on… But humanity i tell you is a better alternative.

Peace & happy new year to all at groundviews

(PS: Thanks for this alternative view eventhough i will not agree with it)

Groundviews said,

January 2, 2010 @ 12:40 am

@Nibras Bawa, a number of your points are addressed in detail by Prof. Rohan Samarajiva here – http://lirneasia.net/2010/01/6569/comment-page-1/#comment-29527

Heshan said,

January 2, 2010 @ 6:15 am

“Would you have responded this way had you received a SMS that said “Tsunami Alert, Please my countrymen take your precautions. With love Mahinda Rajapakse”In fact you would have hailed him as hero. ”

Well, the above is a difficult proposition, considering how the “hero” actually handled the tsunami money.

Sohan Bones said,

January 2, 2010 @ 10:32 am

@ Nibras Bawa
Although your efforts to be a peacemaker, as it were, is laudable, your logic is flawed. Because you are missing out some facts like:
1. the message in question contains reference to supposedly bringing peace and ” freedom and independence” and so on, which may traumatize those of us who are tearing are hair out in horror at the way this person has brainwashed much of our fellow Lankans into believing that such has been brought, though in fact such has NOT been brought.
2. re ‘free and independent “… the sms in question exemplifies the fact that clearly none of the mobile networks are ” free and independent” from the ability to unafraidly decide for themselves what news they will and won’t send out at someone’s whim.
3. as already pointed out by others, a Tsunami warning or other such warning is quite different from this message’s intent. Don’t compare oranges and apples.
4. the “smiling” example is also comparing apples and oranges. Meeting me on the road and smiling at me is quite different from peeping into my window and smiling at me – the latter is closer to what our “pest – oops i mean first – citizen” did yesterday. If I want messages from Govt. media then I will subscribe to daily news sms alerts or possible ada derana alert (i may be mistaken about the latter); it also goes without saying that we are willing to be contacted on matters of emergency by our mobile provided such as tsunami warnings etc.; however those are quite different from yesterday’s sms.

@Groundviews:
customers would have had to pay for this spam SMS if they were out of the country.
I certainly agree with the thrust of your entire article; but just for clarification, I am fairly sure that incoming SMS roaming is free – but I may be mistaken, I haven’t roamed for years. Nevertheless, if I were overseas I sure would find it a nuisance to get such SMS possibly at my sleeping times.

@Groundviews:
What right do mobile phone companies have to give out and use …
Again, a correction: I’m fairly sure that this message was sent directly by each mobile provider, and so the numbers presumably would NOT have been “given out” to any 3rd party. Nevertheless, I fully agree with what GV says is perfectly valid, in that the numbers should not even have been USED for such and such purposes.

Sohan Bones said,

January 2, 2010 @ 6:41 pm

(oops, I meant “our hair” not “are”; and “mobile providers”, not “provided”; previous comment).

Going back to “free and independent”… I find myself fearful to phone my mobile provider and say that I didn’t appreciate this… that’s a funny kind of free and independent environment that our dear outgoing pestident has created for us!

But… gasp… I see that I am such a mean person I and all of you should have read between the sms-lines and have better appreciated the mushy emotional quivering final words of dearest Mr. outgoing ex-president. Hey who was that dictator who eloquently said, “Friends, Rogues and Countrymen, lend me more years”?

Complaint to Dialog said,

January 2, 2010 @ 9:13 pm

Dear Groundviews,

This is an exchange I had with Dialog Telekom over this SMS. Note that there is no response to my specfic question under what law Dialog considered itself obliged to carry out the order of TRC.

###

Dear Sir / Madam,

I’m making this by email, after having made the same complain on the phone to Mr. Nifraz. I was informed by him that this particular complaint and request would not be accepted on the phone, although other complaints and requests would be accepted by phone.

I consider that Dialog has abused the contract I have, by sending a sms (text) message yesterday, 1st January 2010, claiming to be from the President of Sri Lanka. I was told by Mr. Nifraz when I called that Dialog had sent this sms to me (and others also) on request made by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRC).

Hence, please let me know below:

1. Which law in Sri Lanka provides Dialog to send me such a sms message, on instructions of TRC or anyone else?
2. How can I opt out (unsubscribe) from such unsolicited sms messages in future?
3. Can you specify what type of complaints I can lodge by calling (0777-678678) and what type of complaints have to be submitted through other means?

I expect a response and the response (or lack of response) would be considered in future action that I’m contemplating to take.

Thank you.

###

Dear Mr. XXX,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write to us. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused to you on the said matter.

Further to your E-mail, we wish to inform you that, the contents of your e-mail have been forwarded to the relevant division in order to block the government messages.

You can contact us on 077-7678678; which is the Post Paid hotline number dedicated exclusively for customer complaints and queries on any service at Dialog.

Assuring you of our best services at all times.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

[Name]
Contact Centre Officer,
Dialog Telekom PLC.

Athula said,

January 3, 2010 @ 7:42 am

Why only for this new year.Where was he during last few years.Trying o make a fool of everybody.We know his smile does not reflect any love accept crookedness. This is a violation of privacy.

Ravi.M said,

January 3, 2010 @ 7:50 am

Abslutly an election violation and misuse of state property. For your action EC sir

Nimal said,

January 3, 2010 @ 7:53 am

I am sure other parties cand do the same.

sinepgib said,

January 3, 2010 @ 10:40 am

The point some are missing is that as innocent and pure this SMS message might have been it’s highly suspect having it go out right in the middle of a re-election.

Also, not to spread paranoia but where would this stop? What if the president wants to send more than a SMS next time. Would you feel more comfortable him ordering the internet providers to push out software to “keep in touch with you”?

This is not democracy, this is a step towards socialist dictatorship where a few get to rule all without being held accountable for their actions.

cyberviews said,

January 3, 2010 @ 12:54 pm

With all due respect to you Nibras, you are either displaying an extreme case of naiveté, or you are just a disguised Government spokesman, making a desperate effort at damage control. When someone smiles at me on the street he or she is not a) using up tax payer’s money in doing so b) violating my privacy c) violating election laws d) exercising undue influence over independent private and public institutions
and above all d) is not abusing his or her power as the incumbent Executive President

Viewed from another perspective, the President’s campaign advisors, by these blatant acts are doing what a million posters of the opposition cannot do – proving their case.

The MAN said,

January 3, 2010 @ 1:05 pm

We all should file legal action against Dialog ! Then they will stop spamming !

CJ said,

January 3, 2010 @ 1:20 pm

Dear Groundviews,

Your attention is drawn to the headline of Weekend FT of Saturday 2nd January 2009 titled ” Telecom Regulator SMS Mahinda to mobiles’ and states that ” In an unprecedented move and perhaps controversial in the midst of a crucial election, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) yesterday instructed all five operators to transmit a SMS containing President’s New Year wish to all 12 million mobile subscribers.

The article went on to state “It couldn’t be confirmed whether TRC’s move firstly of instructing mobile operators, secondly without paying the operators, and thirdly the content and spirit of the message tantamount to violation of any Presidential election rules and regulations concerning public institutions and employees. Industry Analysts estimated that the cost of transmitting the SMS could be between 50 cents and Rs. 1 per SMS for operators. Some estimated it to be higher with a commercial value of Rs. 15 million. ………………….Independent analysts opined that ………….. TRC functioning as the intermediary with instructions as expecting mobile operators not to charge for such transmission can be bordering on a question of good governance, transparency and accountability apart from circumventing prohibitions under Election Laws……………..

When Daily FT sought a clarification from the biggest mobile operator Dialog Telekom, the company in a brief statement said the transmission of the New Year Message from the President of Sri Lanka to all dialog subscribers was carried out based on instructions received from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. In line with prior practice with respect to the transmission of messages as instructed by the TRCSL, the company will not be levying any charge from TRCSL for the transmission of the message.”

Readers must evaluate whether the above reported matter is tantamount to, amongst other things,

The Head of State and TRCSL have violated Presidential Election laws and Regulations?
The provisions of Bribery and Corruption Laws and Regulations have been violated by any of the parties connected?

jayathilaka said,

January 3, 2010 @ 2:30 pm

where are the heads of Telecommucation ?and where is the commisioner of election?

Trueman said,

January 3, 2010 @ 6:14 pm

I don’t see the reason why so many people think that it was inappropriate for the president to send a text message after doing all the hard work and bringing the independence to the country after a quarter of a century. What is this fuss all about? Those of who think that it was an offence and the president is not deserved at least that much of a compliment I think they should go and see a psychiatrist. The majority of Sri Lankans are suffering from Anterograde amnesia, and some even have the symptoms of Lacunar amnesia (inability to remember a specific event), what a numskulls you are, shame!!

SomewhatDisgusted said,

January 3, 2010 @ 6:51 pm

Dear Trueman,

The president was duty bound to remove the LTTE and he did his job, which is commendable and he deserves due credit for it. However, that does not give him carte blanche to do whatever he pleases and misuse public/private property and/or impinge upon citizen rights. Sending an SMS text may not be a big deal but it’s an indicator of attitude, and it’s not a good one.

Moderate srilanken view said,

January 3, 2010 @ 8:37 pm

Reasons for you (Trueman) to feel the way masses see it:

Even after 5 years, tsunami victims ( a large number of them) are still proper shelter, although substantial sums of funds were provided by NGOS, dontations organisations – as transparency and other international bodies point that out a collossal amount of those funds have openly been abused by presdient and MR administration

- unlike previous regimes there is almost no media freedom for journalists in the country as they repeately report (please read the new articles that are being published on web and lanken new papers)

-SMS sending could cost lots of monies while the sums can properly be used for good things such as providing the rations those who re really in need ( I do believe as it is the case in the Europe, sms sending is not free of charge)

- A large majority of middle class of the country cant afford their day today life with sky high prices of most essentials needs today than ever before in lanken markets.

- MR and the co is said to be abusing state properties and even funds for their own benfits rather than making use of those monies for the benfit of the poor people who are the majority of our motherland

- Even after 6 months, he is still going on tours to manipulate the masses by his own words – sinhala slangs, how he has set free the country from terror. As every right thinking person could feel, if the previous regime under CBK, slain lanken hero politico great Kadirgamar could not win the hearts of the US; EU, Canada, India and the other countries to ban LTTE and name it as terror organisations ( this was one of the most important factors at winning the war)even much earlier, nothing would have gone to lead for a win; means winning the war agaisnt LTTE terror within lanka was a collective task rather than getting the sole pride on him… Army commander and the other forces who heartely sacrificed their lives shodl be given the real credit for fulfiling the tast to the end than President himself is trying to grab the credit further manipulating the masses of the country…

If he is a genuine leader, he should prove to the masses before long that he is not a corrupted leader but his henchman were corrupt.

If he can allocate a large sum of funds for his son´s projects why not he think about the most alarming matters like, pay hikes and price reductions..

I get all these info by reading the articles but being away from the last two decades, I cant know the real life that one lives in the mother land. But if all the indicators prove that the current regime is over corrupted .. we d better give SF a chance to go against another war- but this time against CORRUPTION.

Heshan said,

January 4, 2010 @ 1:37 am

“Even after 5 years, tsunami victims ( a large number of them) are still proper shelter, although substantial sums of funds were provided by NGOS, dontations organisations – as transparency and other international bodies point that out a collossal amount of those funds have openly been abused by presdient and MR administration”

Well said. It is common knowledge that Mahinda Rajapakse deposited tsunami money in his sister’s bank account, and when Ranil pressed for investigations, MR filed a fundamental rights application with the Supreme Court. Under Sarath Silva’s orders, all further investigations into the bank account were dropped.

Heshan said,

January 4, 2010 @ 1:45 am

SomewhatDisgusted:

“The president was duty bound to remove the LTTE and he did his job, which is commendable and he deserves due credit for it.”

It would have been better if the President had taken care of affairs in the South, and let the Northern Tamils/Diaspora Tamils handle the LTTE. As we see now, there is a great agitation in the South for better governance. Whether such agitation will materialize into anything significant is a question in itself, seeing as how the avenues to change have been hijacked one after another by the present Rajapakse administration.

wijayapala said,

January 4, 2010 @ 2:54 am

“let the Northern Tamils/Diaspora Tamils handle the LTTE.”

Yep, they did a terrific job over the last 20 years…

Observer said,

January 4, 2010 @ 8:32 am

I was pleasantly surprised by the sms even with the grueling hang over I had! I actually considered recycling it as my NY text to my mates (except the delivering the nidahas, nivahal rata bit).
Get over it.. only thing is they should provide an opt out/unsubscribe option to those that get really anal when someone wishes them happy new year. Good start to the NY raising your blood pressure over a simple text. I get more annoyed by the Dialog My10 daily rental text message! May you have greater wisdom to handle more serious annoyances in your daily life this new year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Beewhy said,

January 4, 2010 @ 10:38 am

Prabakaran’s dictatorship now replaced by Mahinda Rajapaksa dictatorship…

Sri Lankans lets now get rid of all these maniacs……give Sri Lanka a break….a leader with Dicipline and Good governance is what we need…..

Heshan said,

January 4, 2010 @ 12:02 pm

“Yep, they did a terrific job over the last 20 years…”

As we saw during the CFA, the LTTE was containable. They only retaliated when provoked.

devon said,

January 4, 2010 @ 10:47 pm

@beewhy
MR must have failed his dictatorship exam because he’s allowing democratic elections that an opposition is contending furiously. What a silly dictator.

devon said,

January 4, 2010 @ 10:56 pm

@heshan

As we saw during the CFA, the LTTE was containable. They only retaliated when provoked”

errr no, they war mongered and purposely sabotaged the CFA. even you agree that ltte prevented northern tamils from voting since they wanted the war.

Lame Duck said,

January 5, 2010 @ 7:38 am

You people are irritated by an SMS by the man who rid the country of terrorism… NOT by the ugly hoardings springing up at every nook and corner of the city and suburbs selling telecom services to insurance to what not..? Hope you may have enjoyed frequent bomb blasts ‘relayed’ by all media channels including SMS alerts paid for by you…. what an ungrateful nation this is…?

Jaya Wewa said,

January 5, 2010 @ 8:02 am

If HE was provided with our mobile nos why weren’t we able to reply wishing the HE. Doesn’t he want our wishes?

kichchi said,

January 5, 2010 @ 9:54 am

I cannot read the Sinhalese Language. But reading the translation there seems to no political strings attached. It is just like any other New year Greetings except for the words “As I promised, I gave you a free and independent country.”. This too is not wrong when considering that it is coming from the Head of State (not King) to the citizens of the country (not subjects).

There are a very large number of other IMPORTANT issues at hand like corruption, injustice, discrimination, oppression of the people (rich and poor alike) and their basic human rights and freedoms, to mention a few. Please concentrate on these issues which are more pressing and only second to the problem of ever rising cost of living.

The particular message may or may not be an abuse of “position” for “political” or “non-political” purposes. Please take it in a lighter vein. If it is seen as “abuse of position for political purposes then it falls under the catogory “corruption”.

Over to you, members of the forum.

Heshan said,

January 5, 2010 @ 10:45 am

devon:

“errr no, they war mongered and purposely sabotaged the CFA. even you agree that ltte prevented northern tamils from voting since they wanted the war.”

If the law worked in SL, Mahinda Rajapakse would have been convicted of treason and sentenced to death. That is how it is done in other countries when you collaborate with the enemy during wartime.

Groundviews said,

January 5, 2010 @ 9:50 pm

Transparency International writes to Dialog Telekom and Telecom Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to clarify instructions given to transmit this SMS – http://sunandadeshapriya.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/4-m-sms-from-president-ti-write-to-dialoge-gsm-and-chairman-trc/

Bardo said,

January 6, 2010 @ 5:55 am

Even if the messages were paid for, it will cost substantially less then 1 rupee per message. Bulk purchases of intangible digital services with little or no variable costs usually get massive discounts.

It’s more likely that the messages were sent out by the telephone companies for free as a goodwill measure, as Dialog Telekom claims. Telephone companies are well within their rights to send out such messages. This is not banned or restricted by any law in effect in Sri Lanka.

devon said,

January 6, 2010 @ 12:03 pm

@ heshan,

“If the law worked in SL, Mahinda Rajapakse would have been convicted of treason and sentenced to death. That is how it is done in other countries when you collaborate with the enemy during wartime.”

RIGHT, let me at least try to comprehend what you said. collaborating with the enemy is i guess killing them on the battle field??
bit confused still….. haaaang ooooon, I GET IT!! USA doen’t collaborate with their enemy. that’s why they still haven’t caught Osama Bin Laden! lol

you genius heshan!

Heshan said,

January 8, 2010 @ 7:49 am

Devon:

What nonsense are you talking? Mahinda gave 500 million rupees to the LTTE. That is how he became President.

———-

Mahinda’s note to cabinet

Rebuilding the Nation under
Jayalanka Housing Programme
First Housing Programme
for North and East

The Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) has been directed by me to commence projects for equitable assistance to all needy communities, irrespective of whether they were affected by conflict or Tsunami, in the fields of housing, livelihoods, social and physical infrastructure.

One of the first projects identified for immediate and speedy implementation is the construction of housing units for conflict-affected communities in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticoloa, Ampara, Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Housing requirements obtained from 42 GN divisions in these districts amounted to 1200 housing units. The Board of Management of RADA granted approval to invite offers from consultants and contractors in the area to implement this project. Funds for the project are to be obtained from the Consolidated Fund.

Accordingly, offers were solicited from prospective consultants and parties willing to undertake housing construction in the stipulated areas. GS Builders & Consultants of Vavuniva was selected as the Consultant for the project.

B&K Holdings (Pvt) Ltd of No. 437A, 3rd Lane, Hirunavukulam, Thandikulam, Vavuniya, which offered the lowest quote for a 500 sq. ft housing unit at Rs 624,725/(exclusive of VAT) was selected as the Contractor for the construction of 400 housing units at Trincomalee. Another 400 units in Batticaloa was awarded to Everest Civil Engineering Services of 113/1, Mill Road, Ukulangkulam, Vavuniya, at the same rate of Rs 624,725.00 (exclusive of VAT).

Housing projects in Trincomalee and Batticaloa are in progress, and the total cost estimate for both projects is Rs 499,780,560/-. With the addition of 400 housing units to be implemented in other districts shortly, the entire cost estimate for the required 1200 housing units is Rs 757,166,000/- (inclusive of consultancy fees).I seek the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to proceed with the construction of the 1200 housing units as envisaged above.

August 2, 2006
Sgd
Mahinda Rajapakse
President

P. B. Jayasundera sheds light

WHEN The Sunday Leader spoke to P.B Jayasundera regarding the secret deal significantly he did not deny meeting Emil Kanthan but referred instead to a meeting at ousted Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s house and stated he had met people but did not know who they were.

Q: Your name has transpired as having been present at meetings..

A: I can only say I have not participated in any discusions with the LTTE

Q: With Emil Kanthan?

A:I haven’t participated with anybody because I attend various discussions with various people. I don’t know the people who come to those meetings and from which group.

Officially Minister Mangala Samaraweera invited us for a meeting so we have gone, so there must have been people but we went as officials. But our dealings are as officials. So I don’t know why Tiran Alles made that statement because my dealings with him was only as chairman RADA, not beyond that.

By Sonali Samarasinghe

http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=4387

Groundviews said,

January 10, 2010 @ 1:02 am

@Bardo, @Lame Duck, @Observer, @Trueman, @Nibras Bawa,

What do you have to say to The Shocking Behaviour of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka?

Groundviews said,

March 28, 2010 @ 10:15 pm

Looks like the Rajapaksa regime is still at it:

Midnight voice mail
A state-backed mobile operator has angered its subscribers by providing its list of subscribers to a leading ruling party candidate. The man, whose party is a constituent of the UPFA, is directing voice cuts over mobile phones to subscribers asking they vote for him. One of them received the message when he was woken up at 1.30 a.m. Alas, that’s one vote the candidate wont be getting.

From Sunday Times, 28 March 2010 – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100328/News/nws_08.html

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