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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 15:53:00
9 June 2023 11:01 am - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has recommended not to privatise Sri Lanka Telecom as it could pose a threat to national security.
The report “The effects of the privatization of Sri Lanka Telecom on National Security” submitted to Parliament stated that SLT is already partially privatized with international companies holding 44.98% of the stake and the government holding 49.5% and hence further privatization would expose the country's critical communication infrastructure / sensitive information to private entities whose profit-oriented interests can compromise national security.
The report also said that anyone or organization who had been blacklisted, helped terrorists, extremists in any form should not be allowed to buy any share and have any control over the country's national assets.
The Committee proposes that the state can buy back the other large shareholder of Telecom as provided for in the agreement, divide the segments into sensitive & vulnerable, excess lands & buildings, critical infrastructure and the business.
"Whilst retaining the first segments effecting National Security, the state can divest the others holding a major share through Private Public Partnership ensuring critical infrastructure is protected and all government regulations are adhered to. This way the government can exit from doing business whilst making profit and ensuring National Security, the committee recommended. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)
lester Friday, 09 June 2023 11:11 AM
no need to privatize profit making entities SLT, Hilton. They are the ones that carry weight of unprofitable ones.
Sandy Saturday, 10 June 2023 12:50 PM
It is better to sell profit making entities before politicians ruin it.
susiri Friday, 09 June 2023 11:45 AM
If privatized, government cannot appoint their cronies to board.
It is bogus and false logic typical of GoSL Friday, 09 June 2023 12:24 PM
No other country makes there Telecoms nationalised for security reasons. The logic is mad. If it is profitable then fine do not privatise but national security reasons is totally bogus.
Sokrates Friday, 09 June 2023 12:45 PM
Many customer-friendly deals for domestic and international cheap calls cannot be made until SLT is fully privatized. National security means our corrupt politicians can safely continue doing their dirty business with SLT.
Gamini Friday, 09 June 2023 01:07 PM
so with 44% already divested is there no national security issue???
LA Buddhadasa Friday, 09 June 2023 01:08 PM
Are Weerawansa and Sarath Weerasekara on this committee? By this logic, we will have to manufacture all telecom items here, because Chinese, European or Japanese stuff can have bugs in them.
Old Codger Friday, 09 June 2023 01:12 PM
National security my foot! An enemy doesn't need to buy SLT to get our secrets. A few dollars here and there will produce all the secrets.
Jonah Friday, 09 June 2023 01:23 PM
The President can over-rule any decision of the Sectoral Oversight Committee !
Rip Winkle Friday, 09 June 2023 01:31 PM
SLT is like the proverbial golden goose. MP's use it like their personal wallet. SLT hierarchy even charge their electric vehicles at the premises. All these goons stand to lose considerably if the entity is privatised.
Veran Friday, 09 June 2023 02:17 PM
National security can be looked after by Telecommunication regulatory Authority if the power is vested with them. Telocom must be privatise without any delay. Public can get an efficient service and the employees who work hard will also benefited. . Small excuses from the paliment commeety can't be accepted.
Hemantha Friday, 09 June 2023 02:20 PM
Our fools do not know what the national security means.
Gihan Friday, 09 June 2023 03:20 PM
Bullshit.
LG polls also cannot be done because of National security concerns Friday, 09 June 2023 04:04 PM
Government keeps making ludicrous excuses. Soon even Presidential and Parliamentary elections cannot be conducted due to National Security issues. The cronies are using any excuse to delay and cause further problems to stall improvements.
Dee Friday, 09 June 2023 05:29 PM
Either the select committee doesn’t know what national security is or don’t have any clue as to what privatization is all about!
Sivalingam Friday, 09 June 2023 05:32 PM
Politicians henchmen cannot be appointed when privatised. Humbug about national security. Current SLT chairman has NO qualifications to be chairman of a private Telecom company.
Nonsense Friday, 09 June 2023 06:15 PM
What secret will be exposed to what country or entity if privatised? No one is interested in any "secrets". All of this is just total BS.
Harshana Friday, 09 June 2023 06:17 PM
Can anyone say who are the clowns on this Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security?
ROSH Friday, 09 June 2023 07:10 PM
Please getting rid of members of the committee
Nandara Friday, 09 June 2023 08:09 PM
This commitee was headed by a racist Uneducated fool. Some saus no other govt. In the world has privatized telecom like entities. Those who make such statements are just frogs in the well. Nova days telephone lines can do nothing. Even internet cables are not important with modern day satellite connections. This fellow called Sarath Weerasekera is a racist, opportunistic Rajspaksa slave. He has nothing other to do with the country. Ask him to go to hell.
Hema Saturday, 10 June 2023 12:20 AM
Let us first privatize the parliament first and testify whether we have any threat to our national security.
Saman Sepala Saturday, 10 June 2023 02:19 AM
Sarath Weerasekara is trying to defend Dialog Axiata he has a loan to pay for Capital Trust for over 10 million for Margin Trading and he has a controversial transaction recorded at a Licensed Commercial Bank owned by Casino Dhammika Perera for a some foreign remittance. Defence Ministry should first investigate Sarath Weerasekara for money issues before he talk about telecoms. hem ay be paid by Dialog Axiata to block a New comer coming woth enourmous income to offer attractive prices to Sri Lankan Consumers. Dailog has bouth 3 telecoms Suntel (Where Nalaka Godahewa was former CEO, CBN sat owned by Asset Media and Airtel) and where Sarath Weerasekara to inquire about Malaysian company taking over Defence server even under Gotabaya as Defence Secretary. Sri Lanka's former former Auditor General P. M. W. Wijayasuriya's son Sridhar Sariputhra Hansa Wijayasuriya himself is different origin and controversial under hand deal maker with Rajapaksas, Hans must be investigated first.
Sohani Rajakaruna Saturday, 10 June 2023 02:36 AM
Gotabaya appointed tea man Heladiv Tea Rohan Fernando to siphon over 700 million advertising budget from SLT to Dilith Jayaweera and Rohan's wife Varuni Amunugama Fernando that must be investigated first
Jayampathi Saturday, 10 June 2023 04:17 AM
This parliament destroyed country's economy and thereby sovereignty now give recomendations regarding national security is the biggst joke.
Mahila Monday, 12 June 2023 07:16 AM
Much Admired, Rear Admiral!!! None WISER on National Security (NS), came into parliament to destroy the ECONOMY – which has been entirely SUCCESSFUL!!!??? RESULTING BANKRUPTCY with Consequent PROVERBIAL “Begging Bowl” form one-country to another, WE’VE LOST all SOVEREIGNTY ENTIRELY!!!?? What’s the use of OWNING an Entity, to PROTECT ‘NS’, with SOVEREIGNTY ABSENT!!!??? What CAPRICIOUS LOGIC!!! If, this is LOGIC and ‘Rational’ THINKING of SECURITY EMANCIPATED GREAT MILITARY MIND!? Then, MAY “INVITE”, please tell me WHAT ISN'T!!!? MY FOOT!!?? Ample Exhibition of ABSENCE of CREDENCE of WISDOM and INTELLIGENCE!!!???
dara Saturday, 10 June 2023 07:02 AM
Now committee would have to answer RW,how to pay debts without selling those,though he or his government is not authorized to do so
Prof. M.K. Weerasinghe Saturday, 10 June 2023 07:39 AM
Our Parliament consists of so many terrorists in the ruling party itself than the outside terrorists. Hence, without fooling the masses privatize much as you can and the public will have a very fair and better service.
UniDon Saturday, 10 June 2023 07:42 AM
Ironically, the (half-educated) middle-class in Sri Lanka has become the champion of IMF imposed privatization process of the country.
Sambo Saturday, 10 June 2023 08:14 AM
I wish I could have sold the entire 225 for free of charge to some country.
Navin Soysa Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:02 AM
Low level operations of telecom, electricity and water must be merged to deveop the country for metropolis era. Bigin from the western province with the already modeled plan. RW capable of getting funds and expertise. Dubai metropolis is a successful model. SLFP, Pohottuwa, jeppo and peratto will oppose as usual.
sam Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:32 AM
Why waste time and public funds in committees
Ranga Saturday, 10 June 2023 12:39 PM
National Security on what ground? Cables to Galle already operated and owned by foreign entities
Hemantha Saturday, 10 June 2023 01:08 PM
Privatise SLT and without delay. MP's and their henchmen will not allow any of the government organization to be privatise all for their benefits. Recently 12 organization were brought under the finance ministry must be privatise or closed down. The Chairmen and board members appointed by Gotta's government does not have any qualifications or experience. Good example is Cement corporation and State Engineering Corporation ,they appointed labour union leaders as Chairmen and board members with some old non practicing lawyers where they messed up everything with in 3 years. Now the salaries can't be paid.
Kevin Hasantha Saturday, 10 June 2023 02:55 PM
Gotabaya's son Rajapaksa was elevated to NASA job via first employing him at Axiata Labs (owned by Dialog Axiata Parent Telecom Malaysia = Axiata in Malaysia via Chinese support and Axiata support these are all political deals. NASA must double check how did Gota's son eleveate in career and double check his qualifications. Was it political benefits given to Gota for giving the management of Sri Lanka defence server for Malaysia owned Dialog during war Hans is one of the top funders to Rajapaksas
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