PA Govt. issued 5 million mobile phones

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Rajmi Manatunga and Irangika Range

KOTTE: Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama yesterday revealed that of the country's total number of 6.3 million mobile phones, as much as five million mobile phones were issued during the PA Government.

According to Dr. Amunugama there are 6.3 million mobile phones in the country, 1.5 million CDMA phones and 900,000 fixed lines. He said 40 per cent of the population possess telephone facilities.

"The Government's intention is to provide telephone facilities to 50 per cent of the population."

Dr. Amunugama said a majority of the people use mobile phones today due to initiatives taken by the PA Government to upgrade the telecommunication sector by bringing foreign investors.

The Minister said four mobile phones companies operate in Sri Lanka. The Government intends to bring an Indian investor, Airtel to Sri Lanka by next year to further develop the mobile phone industry.

Due to the economic policies followed by the Government, the Government in collaboration with the private sector could provide a more efficient telecommunication service doing away with the Government monopoly in the telecommunication sector, he said.

Dr. Amunugama said the Government in association with the private sector investors could enter into new economic spheres. The Government's intention is to change the monopoly in the telecommunication sector and give more benefits to the people in collaboration with the private sector.

The telecommunications sector has played a leading role to promote the country's service sector. The Government could provide five million mobile phones through a new economic vision. At present the country has witnessed a significant economic growth as a result of progressive economic policies followed by the Government, he said.