Environment Ministry, TRC team up to block porn sites
By Malik Gunatilleke
Internet service providers have agreed with the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) to filter pornographic websites while charging a fee for customers who want unrestricted access to the internet.
Following President Mahinda Rajapaksa's direction to restrict access to all unsuitable websites the TRC along with the internet service providers in Sri Lanka have taken measures to block adult content from the internet.
Director General of the TRC, Priyantha Kariyapperuma said TRC officials and service providers met earlier this week to review and discuss the progress made so far. "Most service providers have already begun the filtering process by purchasing the necessary software to do so. The TRC has offered them any technical support they need, but most service providers are already well equipped" he said.
File photo: Child browsing the internet
Mr. Kariyapperuma said adults who request unrestricted access to the internet will be able to purchase the adult packages from their respective service provider for a fee.
"Any adult can purchase a password from his/her service provider to gain free access to the internet. However, the fee has not been decided upon as yet and will be entirely up to the individual service provider" he said.
Although website pornography will be filtered, the TRC admitted that it was an impossible to completely stop the viewing of these sites. In order to combat certain loopholes in the filtering system the TRC has stated that it will be open to any complaints or information from the public in blocking sites that can still be viewed.
"If any parent finds that there is access to unsuitable websites through alternate proxies then they can inform their service provider and the website will be blocked immediately," he said. Meanwhile, the TRC is also taking steps to implement Sri Lanka's first National Policy on Antenna Structures in order to protect the environment and the public from any adverse impact caused by the structures.
For a period of one month the TRC will be open to public suggestions and expects to have the policy gazetted in parliament.
The TRC which works closely with the Environment Ministry on the policy has appointed a Technical Advisory Committee to formulate a suitable national policy for the antenna structures.
