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Sri Lankan authorities are intensifying a crackdown on unauthorised satellite and cable television stations, and dubious distributors who sell dish TV satellite receivers as well as users of such facilities without a valid licence, officials said. These llegal operators have around 300,000 Sri Lankan subscribers.
Officials and police are looking out for residents as well as commercial establishments that use dish TV satellite receiver units illegally, they revealed.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, there are around 300,000 Sri Lankans using illegal DTH devices such as dish antennas and set-top boxes purchased from vendors through which various Indian channels and other foreign channels were being viewed in the country, Ministry Secretary Dr. Charitha Herath told Business Times. He pointed out that there is a huge blackmarket in the satellite and cable TV segment with over 500 illegal operators
Any institution which operates a television station using satellite or cable technology for business or personnel viewing should have a valid licence issued by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information and the Telecommunication regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, he disclosed. Maintaining a satellite or/and cable based television station or to importing , producing, selling, renting, repairing or distributing any satellite or cable TV related equipment is an offence punishable under the country’s law.
The licensee has no authority to hand over or transfer the satellite or cable base television broadcasting licence issued under specific regulations and conditions to any other party, individual or an institution.
Any agreement entered into with such illegal station operated by any individual, or an institution without a valid licence will be null and void before the law of the country, he said.
The Ministry has published a notice in newspapers warning unauthorised satellite or/and cable based television stations, vendors, distributors, and users of illegal DTH devices such as dish antennas and set-top boxes.
Sri Lankan authorities to crackdown on illicit satellite and cable TV trade | The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka
Officials and police are looking out for residents as well as commercial establishments that use dish TV satellite receiver units illegally, they revealed.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, there are around 300,000 Sri Lankans using illegal DTH devices such as dish antennas and set-top boxes purchased from vendors through which various Indian channels and other foreign channels were being viewed in the country, Ministry Secretary Dr. Charitha Herath told Business Times. He pointed out that there is a huge blackmarket in the satellite and cable TV segment with over 500 illegal operators
Any institution which operates a television station using satellite or cable technology for business or personnel viewing should have a valid licence issued by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information and the Telecommunication regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, he disclosed. Maintaining a satellite or/and cable based television station or to importing , producing, selling, renting, repairing or distributing any satellite or cable TV related equipment is an offence punishable under the country’s law.
The licensee has no authority to hand over or transfer the satellite or cable base television broadcasting licence issued under specific regulations and conditions to any other party, individual or an institution.
Any agreement entered into with such illegal station operated by any individual, or an institution without a valid licence will be null and void before the law of the country, he said.
The Ministry has published a notice in newspapers warning unauthorised satellite or/and cable based television stations, vendors, distributors, and users of illegal DTH devices such as dish antennas and set-top boxes.
Sri Lankan authorities to crackdown on illicit satellite and cable TV trade | The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka
