News
AG: TNL used unauthorised Channel; TNL Counsel: Action taken due to critical newscast
The TNL Media Network had used an unauthorised frequency for its telecasts, thus obstructing other Channels, which led to its Repeater Transmission Centre in Polgahawela, being shut down, the Attorney General informed the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court this week.
Police shut down the RTC and seized the equipment there, after obtaining a court order from the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, representing the AG, told the Magistrate, the TNL Network had violated the provisions of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act.
Polgahawela Magistrate Ruwani Jayawardena was told that, while TNL had permission to transmit on VHF Channel 3, it had been transmitting on VHF Channel 11. Consequently, the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority had informed TNL to stop this and transmit on the Channel for which it was given permission, as this practice had hampered the transmission by other Channels.
Counsel for TNL Anuja Premaratne P.C. said the action against TNL was taken because the Station had telecast a news segment critical of the President.
The Magistrate directed that the Court be informed on July 6, of the progress into the investigations.