Academics Call Upon Govt Owned Mobitel To Remove BBS Anthem From MP3 Ringtones
Academics and professionals call upon Mobitel to remove BBS anthem from its MP3 ringtones service provided to its customers and restore our confidence in the supposed impartiality and professionalism of commercial enterprises.
We publish below the statement in full;
We note with grave concern Mobitel’s promotion of the anthem of the Bodu Bala Sena as a ring tone which can be downloaded. The anthem of the Bodu Bala Sena carries an incendiary message that seeks to depict sections of this country’s people as outsiders and destroyers. Its purpose is to incite distrust and hostility between ethnic and religious groups, promoting national disharmony in the country.
Mobitel is a commercial telecommunications service provider to the entire country including the groups who are being targeted by this anthem. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telelcom, of which a 50% stake is owned by the Sri Lankan government, Mobitel is also partly a state enterprise. It is therefore extremely disturbing that such a responsible commercial enterprise with close affiliations to the state would facilitate the spread of hate speech through its services and in doing so contribute to ethnic and religious tensions in the country. The recent attack on the Fashion Bug building in Pepiliyana indicates that hate speech and scaremongering campaigns have extremely violent consequences. Under the circumstances, we expect Mobitel to act responsibly.
We call upon Mobitel to remove this anthem from its MP3 ringtones service provided to its customers and restore our confidence in the supposed impartiality and professionalism of commercial enterprises. We also call upon the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to take immediate action to ensure that this is done.
NAME DESIGNATION/AFFILIATION
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Open University of Colombo
Krishanthi Anandawansa, Academic
Vijula Arulanantham, Attorney at Law
Crystal Baines
Dhanuka Bandara, Journalist
Prof. A. M. Navaratne Bandara, University of Peradeniya
Bishop Duleep de Chickera, Anglican Church
Prof. Priyan Dias, University of Moratuwa
Rev. Galkande Dhammananda, University of Kelaniya
E. Shanthini Ekanayake, Psychologist, Visiting Lecturer , Colombo University
Sumedha Fernando, Engineer
Dr. Udan Fernando, Academic/CEPA
Gayathri Hewagama, Academic
Anushke Guneratne
Prof. Camena Guneratne, Open University of Colombo
Dr. Ranil Guneratne, University of Colombo
Max Gunasekera
Dr Dileni Gunewardena, University of Peradeniya
Mr. Mahinda Hattaka, Journalist
Gayatri Hewagama, Academic
Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, Bishop Emeritus of Kurunegala
Ahilan Kadirgamar, Researcher
Dr. Danesh Karunanayake, University of Peradeniya
M. Kodithuwakku, Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Sarath Kodithuwakku, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Shamala Kumar University of Peradeniya
Dr. Amarakeerthi Liyanage, University of Peradeniya
Sudesh Mantillake, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Dushyanthi Mendism University of Colombo
Ramona Mirandam Communication Consultant
Kaushalya Madugallem University of Peradeniya
Dr. Nishan de Melm Economist
Mahen Muttiahm Research Consultant
Nilhan Nilesm University of Moratuwa
Dr. M. A. Nuhmanm Formerly of University of
Peradeniya
Peradeniya
Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja Film Maker and formerly of University of Colombo
Selyna Peiris, Sri Lanka Law College
Nicola Perera, Graduate Student
Vihanga Perera, Sri Jayawardenepura University
Noeline Prins, Graduate Student
A.L. Rajakaruna, Software Engineer
Anushka Rajapaksha, Software Engineer
Hiruni Rajapakse, University of Peradeniya
Dr D.S. Rajasingham, Medical Officer
Emeritus Prof. Ryhana Raheem, Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Harshana Rambukwelle, Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Hemamala Ratwatte, Postgraduate Institute of English
M. R. M. Riham, Academic
Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka
Dinesha Samararatne, Univ. of Colombo
Kumudini Samuel, Women and Media Collective
Chathurika Senanayake, Academic
Dr. Sumathy Sivamohan, University of Peradeniya
Deepthi Siriwardena Executive, Communications
Shreen Abdul Saroor Mannar Women’s DevelopmentCentre
S. Thalayasingham, Attorney-at-Law
M. Thalayasingham, Attorney-at-Law
Dr. Vasanthy Thevanesan, Univ. of Peradeniya
Chandragupta Thenuwara, Artist and Academic
Dayapala Thiranagama, Formerly of University of Kelaniya
Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran, Women’s Education and Research Centre
M. Thiruvarangan, Graduate Student
Dr. Deepika Udagama, University of Peradeniya
U. K. S. M. Uduwella ,Academic
Gamini Viyangoda, Literary Translator, Journalist and Social Critic
Dr Ruvan Weerasinghe, University of Colombo
Dr. Kanchanakesi Warnapala, Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Carmen Wickramagamage, University of Peradeniya
W. H. P. Wijeratne, Academic
Asanka Sanjeewa Wijesinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
Gayatri Wijekoon, University of Colombo
Ranjit Wijekoon, Attorney at Law
Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka
