SC orders full probe on websites
All websites ordered to register with Media Ministry:
Nelka MEDAGEDARA
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the Telecommunications Regulatory
Commission (TRC) to conduct a full inquiry into websites operating in
Sri Lanka and register them with the Mass Media and Information
Ministry. The TRC was also ordered to look into the possibility of
removing the difficulties to log into the six websites which have
already been blocked, after this inquiry.
The Supreme Court made this order when a fundamental rights
application filed by the owner of www.srilankamirror.com, K.S. Rodrigo
against the blocking of his website was taken up before a Bench of
Supreme Court judges K. Sripavan, Sathya Hettige PC and Priyasath Dep
PC.
Senior counsel Ali Sabry who appeared on behalf of the TRC stated
that the Commission will conduct an inquiry into the websites and will
take action in conformity with the order.
He stated that the blocked websites have been registered in Australia
and neither of them have been registered in Sri Lanka.
Attorney-at-Law Saliya Peries appearing for www.srilankamirror.com
told court that his client would extend his cooperation for the
investigation.
TRC, its Director General Anusha Pelpita, Information Director
General Prof Ariyarathna Athugala, Mass Media and Information Ministry
Secretary W.B. Ganegala, several telecommunication companies and the
Attorney General were cited as respondents.
The petitioner in his application said his website carried news
articles in three languages without bias.
Meanwhile, the Government Information Director General in a letter
dated July 20, 2011, to the petitioner has informed the website be
registered with the Mass Media and Information Ministry.
The petitioner said that his website was blocked on November 5 within
the country. He stated that the website did not carry any news items
detrimental to national security.
The petitioner said that blocking of the website without informing
its employee is a violation of basic human rights and pleaded court to
remove the blockades.
He also demanded a compensation of Rs 50 million for the damage
caused. Attorney-at-Law Saliya Peries appeared for the petitioner while
D S Wijesinghe PC, Attornerys-at-Law M U M Ali Sabry, Kalinga Indatissa
and Deputy solicitor General Shavindra Fernando appeared for the
respondents. |
