Whilst the country is in a political turmoil, Chathurika Sirisena, the elder daughter of President Maithripala Sirisena has been colluding with the Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to illegally allocate frequencies already allocated to other broadcasters and frequencies that have been reserved for the Digital Television Project, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.
Accordingly, TV and Radio frequencies have been issued to one Indika Samaraweera of J Lanka Group of Companies, a business associate of Chathurika Sirisena. TRCSL is currently under the purview of the President, however, the Ministry of Mass Media has been a subject under the purview of the UNP until recently. One usually requires a Media License issued by the Ministry of Mass Media and the usual procedure is that upon obtaining such a Media License, TRCSL issues the respective licenses for the use of radio frequencies under the Section 22 of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991. However, it is learnt that the said J Lanka group was issued these frequencies even without them having a Media License issued from the Media Ministry, a pre-requisite to obtain frequencies from the TRCSL. Information received from the Ministry of Media is that the said Indika Samaraweera has only applied for the Media License this week on 3rd December 2018, whilst all ministries have come under the President with there is no legally appointed Ministers since the no-confidence motion brought against Mahinda Rajapaksa and his illegal Cabinet.
“In terms of the frequencies allocated to the said Indika Samaraweera of J Lanka Group, TRCSL has issued Channels 48, 50, 51 and 53. Channel 50 is an islandwide TV channel previously reserved for Digital Television Broadcasting as per the TV Assignments as at 01.06.2018 by the TRCSL. This shortsighted action of the Director General of the TRCSL has put the whole Digital Television Broadcasting project in jeopardy, as there are not enough frequencies already to launch the project. Already the Digital Television Broadcasting project has come to a halt due to a dispute between TRCSL and the Ministry of Mass Media ever since the Yahapalana Government came into power where the Japanese Government had committed in 2014 to grant a soft-loan of USD 100 Million to rollout a state-of-the-art digital television platform,” an industry expert told Colombo Telegraph on the condition of anonymity .
Most outrageous story behind this frequency allocation to J Lanka Group is that the other TV Frequencies allocated to them are already allocated to another controversial network: Television and Radio Network (TRN), a sole proprietorship owned by Upali Abeywardana, which operates TV Lanka and other digital television services. TRN and TRCSL has been in litigation since 2012 at various Courts of Sri Lanka ever since Abeywardana began broadcasting in digital format where TRCSL claimed that TRN did not have the right to digitally broadcast despite none of his licenses restricted him from doing. The matter was appealed by TRCSL and finally the Supreme Court held in TRN favour earlier this year.
However, disregarding the Supreme Court order, TRCSL has issued the frequencies in question to the said J Lanka Group as per the information we have received from the employees of TRCSL. Colombo Telegraph contacted Abeywardana in this regard and he was not aware of such decision by TRSCL. He further stated that it would be Contempt of Court and that he would take the necessary legal actions if TRCSL has illegally allocated the frequencies that are already allocated to his company where the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has already cleared his operations as legal.
In addition to the TV frequencies, TRCSL has also issued a FM radio frequency to the said J Lanka Group, also in contravention of an already issued license to VIS Broadcasting (Private) Limited, another controversial company said to be previously linked to Namal Rajapaksa and was allegedly started with funding from China. VIS has been operating CRI (China Radio International), a Sinhala channel in partnership with CRI in China, the state owned Chinese international radio channel on 97.9 MHz since 2009. It is also learnt that this frequency has also been allocated to the said J Lanka Group whilst CRI is still operating the frequency. We contacted the Chairman of VIS Broadcasting, Niranga Hettiarachchi and he was not aware of such an action by the TRCSL although he mentioned that TRCSL has requested them to swap their frequency with another few weeks back and that they have objected to TRCSL, hence he hoped the matter is now at rest. However, Colombo Telegraph have confirmed information from within TRCSL that 97.9 MHz has already been allocated to the said J Lanka Group and the engineers of J Lanka Group are already in the process of procuring the necessary transmitters and other equipment to begin transmission in support of the Presidential bid of Maithripala Sirisena for re-election.
The alternate frequency proposed for VIS Broadcasting was apparently 103.1 MHz, a frequency already allocated to Seth FM, a Negambo-based radio channel with Catholic religion based programming. Despite the realignment of the FM frequencies was done in 2012 to dedicate specific FM frequencies to specific broadcasters to prevent interference from multiple networks using the same frequency for their transmissions, TRCSL issued the same 103.1 MHz also to Trymas Media Network (Private) Limited, who started their Tamil language radio channel in 2017 called Capital FM. Trymas is owned by S. Vincendrarajan (Rajan) of Liverpool Holdings, the uncle of Jaffna SLFP Organizer, Angajan Ramanathan. It is also learnt that in the midst of the political turmoil, Trymas Media Network has also been issued with TV frequencies to start a new TV channel and such frequencies are also said to be from the reserved set of frequencies for Digital Television Broadcasting project. In addition to the frequencies, Trymas Media Network has also been issued with a Cable TV Broadcasting license by the TRCSL to capture the audiences in the North.
The TRC is now headed by an advisor to President Sirisena who is also someone he appointed to Parliament through the National List of the UPFA, Malith Jayatilake’s brother Shamal Jayatilake (PRSP Jayatilake).
Real Revolutionist / December 6, 2018
Oh boy, there it is
That’s how some make news during the launching time
Daughter instead of father for CT fans to deal with?
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Babansincho / December 6, 2018
Like father like daughter.
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Radical Ideas / December 7, 2018
The Govigama Elite crooks have ruined this country. A Super Crook in the guise of a President is allowed to go an a rampage by the collective Sinhala Racist elements within the society that includes Mahanayakes, Monks and the proponents of the racist Mahinda Rajapakse and his cronies. This is a stark reality where the minorities are fighting to restore democracy and the Buddhism and its heirarchy is fighting against it. The big crimes are committed by those who call themselves as Buddhist leaders while the core teachings of Buddhism is about fighting against oppression and corruption.
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babanpunchi / December 6, 2018
Chathurika has already become a big liar since the book she published on Janathipathi Thathha proved him an unpredictable , made lankens a laughing stock before the locals and the world to this date.
Thanks go to the silly pefermances of her father. Though abused state sources, him to fall that appalling levels, is beyond bearing to the lankens to date. Let alone, Mr Sirisena as a father could consider the respect her daughter if he had a brain the sized of a need head. All in all, as if monkey took a sharp knife, he has been making us jokers since last week of october .. on and on.
And to everyone angers, not many among the good characteristics mentioned in the afore mentioned bookof the person can ever be truths except some silly explanations such as he would become that emotional and quick-tempered as he once reacted by putting the fire on to paddy fields of their Grand father. Latter can well be a true story, the way this silly president ridiculed out his presidential responsiblities since last 26th Oct.
No matter anyone would have thought anything ABOUT him and the country, the stupid man has got the audacity to explain any thing about country s issues evasively.
As honrable PM Wickramasinghe made it very clear yestreday, not a single word about the ARCHITECT of Late Bandaranayaka was mentioned in the annual meeting, but only verble attacks on Mr Wickramasinghe. TO the ears of developed nations world wide, the kind of public statments are not at all professionals that should come from a head of state.
Now including myself, I strongly believe, Sirisena was good enough to get rid of VICIOUS Rajakahe forces by end of 2014, but he as proved sofar far from
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Silva / December 6, 2018
Yes, before Sirisena is chased out, all the side kicks started to make merry and loot the people. The next legally constituted government should prob all these misdeeds and mute out severe purnishment for all of them. This is the only reason, by hook or crook, they want to hang on to power, and they least interested in the people or the country.
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EW Golding / December 6, 2018
I believe that the Director General of Telecommunications Sunil S Sirisena is President Sirisena’s brother. This allocation if confirmed stinks! And Mahinda signs a $50 million contract with China even when the legitimacy of his government is contested in court.
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Buddhist / December 6, 2018
This is one of the reasons why President and his close family should release their assets statement to the public.
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K.Pillai / December 6, 2018
Editor CT please tell us: Has the Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) allocated the frequencies? If so is that illegal?
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If illegal, we must alert a ‘clean’ party to take legal action. Urgent because there is another putsch lurking not far away.
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gamini / December 6, 2018
Didn’t MS hand over some frequency channels from the Lotus tower to Sakkili Maharaja as well, soon after he was appointed as Prez for free?
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gamini / December 6, 2018
MS getting ready with Transmission Channels to contest the next Presidency is the best Joke I have heard. I wonder whether he can poll even a hundred thousand?
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Estate Labourer / December 6, 2018
Gamini, You are right! He will poll about as many votes as the typical independent presidential candidate without a party. Any official party that fields him as its candidate will cease to exist thereafter.
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Real Revolutionist / December 6, 2018
gamini
The biggest jokers are those who canvassed to make him the president & became the PM & formed a government & tried to use him as cat’s paw to get his/their things & failed & struggling now.
Without another common man they’ll never win.
The problem is there’s nobody in the vicinity to make him/her the common candidate.
If both MS & Ranil contest as independents MS can score more than Ranil.
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Plato. / December 6, 2018
Time for another Book: Janadhipathi Doo.!
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Roger / December 6, 2018
Sirisenas is the biggest hora. He has amassed massive amounts of money since he became President. This is clearly without any doubt revealed by the fobes
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Rajash / December 6, 2018
yipee lets loot the country ….before we get kicked out
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Native Vedda / December 8, 2018
Rajash
–
“yipee lets loot the country ….before we get kicked out”
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It is Rajapaksa’s job.
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renu / December 6, 2018
It appears it is worse than the time of the last President
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Real Revolutionist / December 7, 2018
renu
It’s said correctly or incorrectly that presidents loot; as they’re the most powerful, with one exception.
viz RW in the capacity of PM did the biggest possible loot, the CB bond scam
Had he been the president?
Thank you MS.
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chiv / December 6, 2018
After MR it is MS now in play.Who is going to be the next ??? Is this what the Lankans deserve, ask your self???/
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K.Anaga / December 6, 2018
Take Care if frequencies are not allotted to CHATHURIKA she might follow the footstep of her father and and stop all transmissions. Then we might have to go to courts and no judges will be available to hear our case? What next?
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / December 6, 2018
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Mokade badu / December 6, 2018
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Ajay / December 6, 2018
Perceptive people knew right away when she – a total mediocre nobody – crashed the party as soon as her Thatha was elected, that she’s a shameless social climber and a crook. This is what happens when you give power to the trash.
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shankar / December 7, 2018
someone please go and file a complaint with the bribery commission please.We need more naga’s.
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Triple X / December 7, 2018
Govirala & clans at large, Aney pau SriLankan masses.
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Good Sense / December 7, 2018
According to knowledgeable sources, the TRC provides excellent opportunities for those in strategic positions in the organization to fatten their purse. Irrespective of the 19th amendment the TRC has been under the Presidential purview. The political, corrupt interference into the affairs of the TRC was there ever since the TRC was born and since then the assignment of frequencies were mismanaged to the point that Sri Lanka may hold the world record in having a chaotic management of frequencies. The most affected are the broadcasting frequencies. Can any one really tune a car radio properly? The quality of the signal is absolutely poor with a lot of interferences. These sources tell me that this has even affected the air navigation systems as well. It is surmised that once a military aircraft of Sri Lanka got crashed because of this. Amidst this chaos, the TRC was acquired by the President during the MR times and MY3 continued to do so. Both MR and MY3 appointed all kinds of characters as the DG, when it should have been headed by a man with a sound technical knowledge. It is understood that some former DGs have got properties as gratifications from broadcasters in enjoying the plums and various contractors have built their houses. What is surprising is that under the Yahapalana system RW and his cohorts never raised the issue of legitimacy of TRC being held by MY3 despite the 19th amendment limiting the power of the President in directly being in charge of institutions. That is because in the initial stages of their team work, they allowed each other to feather their own nests. My informants tell me that the TRC is beyond redemption and is a goldmine for those inside as well the politicians who control it.
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PARAMANATHAN KUNCHITHAPATHAN / December 7, 2018
‘Make it hay when the sun shines’ is an old adage that would be applicable for President Sirisena’s family. It is always the case for the families of any Sri Lankan presidents. Chathurika is no exemption because when Mahinda Rajapakse was the president he also did the same thing. But alas for this frequency band allocation when the next president comes to power he will definitely cancel all these frequency allocations. And another key factor would be the emergence of new technology that might make conventional analog terrestrial transmission redundant. But Sri Lanka is the only country among the very few still operating analog broadcast as rest of the world are propagating on the digital platform.
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Pon Kulendiren / December 7, 2018
This is similar to M Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimolizhi’s 3G scam with Rasa Allways daughters’ are fathers favorite and that forced her to write a book
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chiv / December 7, 2018
In the picture Chathu is telling the Lankan retards who voted for the Presidential Thatha ” GO AND FLY A KITE PUTHA “. She did crack up the people around .See their faces .LOL. Be happy that she didnt show the middle finger.
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PARAMANATHAN K / December 7, 2018
TRCSL is the pioneer organization to regulate, manage and control wired and wireless communication sector of the country. It has great potential to generate high revenue in billions annually. TRCSL work hand in hand with ITU and similar organizations to maintain international standards. Understand it has high-tech equipment manned by qualified engineers to carry out regulatory measures. TRCSL is a scientific and R & D organization rendering yeoman service to the nation. Hence, it is wrong for any government to manipulate and interfere in the affairs unlawfully. There are qualified experienced engineers who are capable to be appointed as Chairman / Director General and government should seriously recognize their potential to be appointed to this prestigious positions without appointing non-technical political henchmen as Chairman / Director General. We earnestly wish to appeal to the government to give good hearing to this suggestion.
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Rajash / December 7, 2018
PARAMANATHAN K / “We earnestly wish to appeal to the government to give good hearing to this suggestion.”…
which Government are you appealing to ? – the fake government or the illegally sacked government….
there is no legally functioning government at the moment.
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thrishu / December 7, 2018
The old codgers here seem to be getting a lot of delight groping Chaturika’s knickers.instead of groping inside Ranil’s Y fronts to find Mahendran, and the remainder of Bond Scam rogues and where they have stashed away the loot.
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Simon De Silva / December 7, 2018
People like you THRISU would never sense it right. Ballige puth I challenge you to come forward and explain the nation that Ranil ‘s govt brought more losses than that of Rajakaspke rascals?
Today we all become that much of happier since Ranil led govt restored democracy during 3.5 years.
At the time ballige putha Rajakshe was defeated in Jan 2015, what was left was nothing. Entire world was against SRILANKa. Rajakashe had looted the state to the core. Remember, you live a life being on a rich soil, but yu guys have no hearts to see it right yet how much eroded the country under ballige putha Rajakshe authoritarian govt.
We could have been happier, Ranil led govt put Rajakshes in a jail.. but SIRISENA is not a person as appeared to be. He is the most abusive man in lanken politics, whose credibility lost to all low levels to this date.
Not a single person that commended him would be supporting today.
Alone bitter enemies of 6.2 millions of voters made SIRISENA the president to go vehemently against Rajapakshe Rascals.
You should be well aware of the facts about the mountaneous loans that lanken are forced to pay off in 2019. Most of them belong to Rajakshe regime since they took them all on much higher interests. In n umbers it is over 60% of all loans that the state have to bear.. were resulted by the mismanagement of Balige putha Rajakshe.
We know how much funds were grabed into their pockets during those days. You s hould be blind no tto have noticed them. What a ballige puthek you should be…
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Wera / December 7, 2018
Sirisena’s children are corrupt. This is not the first time they have been caught red handed. The bribes and commissions they have earned must be an impressive total. Let us get some fundamentals right as a country. It is time to arrest the appaya and put him in jail. It is also time to get rid of All executive powers of any one who wishes to be president of Sri Lanka. Let us also learn the lesson that game bhaiyas cannot and should not be appointed to high office. All elected public officials from deputy minister onwards must be qualified and educated and be people of some means and stature. The temptation to rob, grab power illegally all stem from being of lowly birth. That is the cold hard truth.
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DAYA samaraweera / December 7, 2018
Sunil sirisena is not the brother of the president. He is a respected civil servant.
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Jayantha deAlwis / December 8, 2018
Sri Lankans are rounded up & hunt by a nasty group of crooks and thugs, representing UNP, SLPP & SLFP. Hereafter all right thinking people should not vote for any person who has elected to office from these parties, as they all are responsible for the sorry state of the country. Only person that I can think of solving this situation is Nagananda Kodituwakku or Rohan Pallewatte.
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