Colombo, June 9, 2023 (Xinhua/NAN) A Sri Lankan parliamentary committee has asked the government not to privatise national telecommunications services provider Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT).
It cited potential risks to national security.
This proposal was made in a report submitted by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security to parliament on Friday.
It is titled: “The effects of the privatisation of Sri Lanka Telecom on National Security’’.
The parliamentary committee said that the SLT is already partially privatised, with international companies currently holding a 44.98 per cent stake.
Saying the government retained 49.5 per cent of the shares.
It said in the report that further privatisation could potentially expose the South Asian country’s critical communication infrastructure and sensitive information to private entities whose profit-oriented interests may compromise national security.
Furthermore, the report emphasised that individuals or organisations with a history of involvement in terrorism or extremism in any form should be barred from purchasing shares or exerting control over the nation’s assets.
In light of these concerns, the committee proposed the state exercise its right to buy back the shares held by the other major shareholder.
Additionally, the report suggested dividing the SLT into categories such as sensitive and vulnerable areas, with the government retaining control of over the sensitive segments.
This approach would safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure compliance with government regulations, the report said. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola"
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