News
House committee warns against privatisation of SLT, citing national security reasons
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security has strongly advised the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government against privatising Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT).The 11-member committee, in a report, titled ‘the effects of privatisation of SLT on national security’, which was tabled in Parliament yesterday (09), warned of far reaching consequences of privatisation.
Chairman of the Committee, one-time Deputy Chief of Staff of Navy, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera told The Island that the government should be mindful of the dangers emanating from the much-touted privatisation programme. “Privatisation is certainly not the panacea for all our problems,” the former Public Security Minister said, asserting that the vital telecommunications sector, in private hands, could pose quite a threat to national security.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka (SJB) is also a member of the Committee, set up in terms of Standing Orders No 111. Its other members are Chamal Rajapaksa, Chandima Weerakkody, (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, Charles Nirmalanathan, Sampath Athukorala, U.K.Sumith Udukumbura, (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Major Sudarshana Denipitiya and Nimal Piyathissa.
The UNP, which has only one National List member, is not represented in the committee. Lawmaker Weerasekera said that the loss of SLT to ‘outsiders’ could jeopardize national security and expose the country to unprecedented threats.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared both in and outside Parliament the need to privatise the SLT among other public enterprises.The report warned of the grave risk of the LTTE remnants, Tamil Diaspora and others, who backed the separatist agenda here, investing in the SLT.
Declaring that anyone who has backed the LTTE, even remotely, is a terrorist, MP Weerasekera said that such persons/institutions/ groups/organisations should not be allowed to buy any shares. The SLN veteran emphasized the responsibility on the part of the government to take bold decisions. Could we have the national telecommunications provider to the State in the hands of hostile elements, MP Weerasekera asked.
The then CBK administration partially privatised the SLT in 1994. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation of Japan secured 35% of the SLT but those shares were bought by a Netherlands-based company, called Global Telecommunications Holdings wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd. As at today the Malaysian Company holds 44.98% of the stake and the Government holds 49.50%.
With a countrywide customer base of nine mn, the income revenue of SLT in 2022 was Rs. 108 billion and the profit was Rs. 8.46 billion.
The report dealt with threats posed to economic security, energy security, food security, etc., and most importantly cyber security. The report warned the management of a foreign company that may take over the SLT, would be naturally bent to the political policies of the country they belong to.
The committee made the following recommendations:
i. SLT is already partially privatised with international companies holding 44.98% of the stake and the government holding 49.5%. Further privatisation would expose the country’s critical communication infrastructure/sensitive information to private entities whose profit-oriented interests can compromise national security. Hence privatisation of Telecom is not recommended.
ii. Anyone/organisation who had been blacklisted/helped terrorists/extremists in any form should not be allowed to buy any share and have any control over our national assets.
iii. State can buy back the other large shareholder of Telecom as provided for in the agreement, divide the segments into sensitive and vulnerable, excess lands and buildings, critical infrastructure and the business. Whilst retaining the first segments affecting National Security, the state can divest the others holding a major share through Private Public Partnership ensuring critical infrastructure is protected and all government regulations are adhered to. This way the government can exit from doing business whilst making profit and ensuring National Security.
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress.
The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident.
According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries.
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence.
Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said.
The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted.
ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station.
Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023.
He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions.
A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020.
He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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