News

Govt. blocks more websites, all must register

By Leon Berenger

More news websites were blocked yesterday as the Government said those carrying news relating to Sri Lanka should register with it – prompting strong protests by the main opposition United National Party.
Following the ban on lankaenews website, the government yesterday blocked SriLankaguardian.com, paparaci.com, gossip9.com, srilankamirror.com and lankawaynews.com., which is the official website of the UNP.

Information Technology specialist Gihan Mendis said yesterday Sri Lanka did not have the resources to effectively block websites. A user could access any site simply by using a proxy, he said.

“A hi-tech facility to block a website will require a huge sum of money and we do not have the resources at Sri Lanka Telecom, unlike countries such as China and other developed nations,” he said.

Yesterday’s move came in the form of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) blocking internet access from Sri Lanka. The ban on lankaenews.com prompted the US embassy in Colombo to express serious concern.

In a statement released to the media the embassy said: “While the embassy does not endorse the views of any particular media outlet, the US believes that a free and independent media is vital to ensuring the health and continuation of any democracy.

“Freedom of expression, including unfettered access to internet news websites, is a basic right which must be respected. We therefore call on the Sri Lankan authorities and the management of Sri Lankan telecommunication firms to stop activities aimed at blocking free access in Sri Lanka to all legitimate media websites, including lanka news.”

The UNP also reacted strongly to yesterday’s move. The party’s media manager Mangala Samaraweera said, “This is an undemocratic move. We will continue to campaign against such moves and even take legal action.”

He said that lankawaynews.com was the official website of the UNP. It was currently running on a trial basis and was due to be launched later this month.

“If the Government claims that there is intrusion into the private lives of certain individuals, then there are ways of taking legal action against those responsible. Also politicians must remember that since they are public figures and their actions affect the public they could come under close scrutiny. Even the decision for those carrying any content relating to matters in Sri Lanka to register with the authorities is absurd, and shows that the Government is paranoid,” Mr. Samaraweera said.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other News Articles
Govt. adamant on takeover bill
Mayor-UPFA in row over CMC room
Govt. blocks more websites, all must register
Multi- million-dollar IT complex to be built by Chinese firm
Lanka in final lap goes for C’wealth gold
President to attend SAARC summit
Horrific crash leaves one dead
Down come inter-monsoonal rains and with it the dangers
World’s longest dragonfly migration via Sri Lanka?
Chaos at Colombo Port creates traffic jams
Websites be aware of defamation, character assassination
Powerless for six months: Farmer calls for probe
Price hikes fuel market fears
Dengue deaths are preventable if proper procedures are followed
Stroke strikes 1 in 100 within Colombo
Baby Sanari enters record books as SL’s member to the 7 billion club
Three-wheelers’ days are metered as supply outstrips demand
Anatomy of a case of jealousy, cold-blooded murder and reprisals
Galgamuwa tusker in sanctuary for now
Hit and run vehicle kills a leopard in Yala
When Harper bit more than he could spew
Police power to search premises without search warrant restricted
D.A. Rajapaksa- the pulse of Ruhuna
Development or waste
Fake snail bait seller remanded

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2011 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution