TRC accuses TNL of malpractice, denies hidden agenda

Defending its actions on the seized Polgahawela transmitter owned by private TNL television network, the Telecom Regulatory Commission yesterday outlined its reasons in a two-page statement. 

Stating that the channel used a frequency which it had not been authorised to use “from time to time,” which interferes with other networks using the frequency, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Sri Lanka ()TRCSL denied any hidden agenda behind its sudden move. 

“The TRCSL emphasises that there is no other undue ambition behind this action.”

Deviating from its earlier explanation of failure to pay licensing fee, TRCSL yesterday said that the company had paid all license fees for the nine transmitting centres it operated.  

TNL Chairman Shan Wickremesinghe maintained that all payments and licenses were in order from the time TRCSL instituted its action.  

Wickremesinghe, elder brother of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, claimed the move was a reaction to the critical programs aired by the channel. 

Wickremesinghe alleged that the decision by the TRC which comes under President Maithripala Sirisena was due to the criticism levelled against the President through a program of his channel. Sirisena has direct authority over the TRCSL with his Secretary Austin Fernando being the Chairman of the institution.

“This is a direct reaction to what we have been airing. We have been critical of the President and they want to control it now,” he told Daily FT.