Government to block internet in Sri Lanka

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is in the process of formulating regulations to be imposed on news websites, it is learnt.

Chinese military intelligence specialists have

reportedly been approached to formulate these

firewalls. Sources from TRC said several Chinese

specialists are to visit the country during the

next few weeks for this purpose.

The TRC is to also make it compulsory for all

news websites operating in the country to

register with the Commission.
 
  It is also planned to make news websites in the

country to operate through an internet protocol

address provided by the TRC. A similar system is

followed by the Chinese government.

It is learnt that the first task assigned to the

newly appointed Commissioner General of the TRC,

Anusha Pelpita by the President is to handle the

news websites in the country.

Meanwhile, the google search engine is to be

blocked as well.

A new advisory committee on internet services has

reportedly been established for this purpose.

Funds for the programme are to be taken from the

Treasury on the basis of creating an internet

super highway.

A former computer engineer at the TRC said that

the main aim of the programme is for the

government to gain control of news websites.