TRC says it could grant licence to LBN

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) on Friday informed the Court of Appeal that it could grant Lanka Broad Band Network, a licence to operate a Satellite Television network.

The Bench comprised Justices K. Sripavan and Eric Basnayake.

President's Counsel Palitha Kumarasinghe for the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) informed the Court that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had approved its recommendation to grant the petitioner Lanka Broad Band Network Ltd. (LBN) to operate Satellite Television Network. The counsel also submitted that the Defence Ministry had given the security clearance to the petitioner.

However, President's Counsel D. S. Wijesinghe for Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa submitted that the petitioner still needed to obtain a media licence under the Rupavahini Corporation Act before commencing their operation.

However, the Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardane for petitioner submitted that they were already in possesion of a media licence.

Petitioner LBN stated that the CID had sealed off its satellite TV transmission system illegally and unlawfully affecting a clientele of around 10,000. The petitioner sought to quash the alleged unlawful acts of the CID.

Sanjeewa Jayawardane appeared for the petitioner.

Additional Solicitor General Sathya Hettige PC appeared for the CID.

The case will be mentioned on October 25.