|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 18 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
SLT provides 23 days grace to settle bills By Shirajiv Sirimane Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) was forced to take bank loans to the value of Rs. 180 million to pay salaries of their employees as a result of a major flaw in the new billion system, which was to be introduced last January. Due to faults in the billing system, bills could not be sent for nearly six months which resulted in a loss of revenue from their customers which prompted them to secure this loan. According to the Deputy Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Udarata Development Rohitha Abeygunawardane they had to take this loan. The SLT has 49.5 shares and they financially contribute to the Treasury. He said that the system was introduced confidentially known only to a few. Regardless of a heavy investment the new billing system is only in English. The old billing system was very practical and there was no necessity for a new billing system. "We are hoping to introduce a less complicated bill system soon," he said. The Deputy Minster said that an inquiry would be launched and the persons responsible would be punished. "I can assure that this investigation is not politically motivated," he said. He said that the SLT is also liable to pay lawsuits if customers file them demanding their monthly bill which is overdue by three months. The SLT is planning to send the January bills this month and customers would be given a grace period of 23 days to settle it. He admitted that the billing system was due to a management error of the SLT and hence the public would not be held responsible. He said that most of these problems arose due to lapses in the privatisation process and aded SLT would not be further privatised. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
