Even though SLMC leader and former Post & Telecommunication Minister Rauff Hakkem said yesterday the reason for their decision to cross over to the opposition is mainly to safeguard the dignity and to respect the wishes of the Muslim Community, Chief Whip of the Government - Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said that the reality behind his move is completely different to what he said in the parliament.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem today 2007-Dec.13 said that the government is trying to change the demography in the Eastern province by way of settlements and land grabbing.
According to Minister Fernandopulle, Rauff Hakeem’s cross over to opposition is purely based on a private issue and it never depends on any issues relating to Muslim community as he said. Minister Fernandopulle further said that he was demanding the President Mahinda Rajapaksha to re-assign the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) back to his ministry from the date he was appointed as the Minister of Post & Telecommunication.
“TRC is a much vital government institute and it can make a decisive impact on country’s national security. Therefore it was taken over by the President under the direction of the security advisors when Mr.D.M.Jayarathna was the Minister. But Minister Jayarathna never made any demand under any circumstance that TRC to be re-assigned back to his ministry” added Minister Fernandopulle.
TRC is mainly responsible for allocating frequencies for TV and Radio channels whenever requests made to them by interested parties. In addition to that TRC functions as the main controlling and administrative body to all telecommunication companies operating in Sri Lanka which are marketing mobile and fixed phone connections. Also it is a well know fact that such companies should get the prior approval from TRC to amend their rates and other conditions whenever it is necessary.
However, TRC was taken over by the President himself in early 2006 and appointed President Secretary Mr. Lalith Weerathunghe as the Chairman of TRC.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem today 2007-Dec.13 said that the government is trying to change the demography in the Eastern province by way of settlements and land grabbing.
According to Minister Fernandopulle, Rauff Hakeem’s cross over to opposition is purely based on a private issue and it never depends on any issues relating to Muslim community as he said. Minister Fernandopulle further said that he was demanding the President Mahinda Rajapaksha to re-assign the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) back to his ministry from the date he was appointed as the Minister of Post & Telecommunication.
“TRC is a much vital government institute and it can make a decisive impact on country’s national security. Therefore it was taken over by the President under the direction of the security advisors when Mr.D.M.Jayarathna was the Minister. But Minister Jayarathna never made any demand under any circumstance that TRC to be re-assigned back to his ministry” added Minister Fernandopulle.
TRC is mainly responsible for allocating frequencies for TV and Radio channels whenever requests made to them by interested parties. In addition to that TRC functions as the main controlling and administrative body to all telecommunication companies operating in Sri Lanka which are marketing mobile and fixed phone connections. Also it is a well know fact that such companies should get the prior approval from TRC to amend their rates and other conditions whenever it is necessary.
However, TRC was taken over by the President himself in early 2006 and appointed President Secretary Mr. Lalith Weerathunghe as the Chairman of TRC.
Hakeem would have been eying for this years
