TRC directed to filter obscene websites

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued a special directive to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) that websites featuring obscene and pornographic material should be filtered with immediate effect to protect children against internet pornography.

This decision was taken as there has been increasing concern about the exposure of children to obscene and pornographic materials via the internet.

The proliferation of internet raises serious problems concerning unrestricted access to obscene and pornographic materials, especially by children.

President Rajapaksa has recognised the seriousness of the threat posed to the children as a result of unrestricted access to the websites meant for the adults.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka has directed Internet Service Providers to filter the websites featuring Obscene/phonographic/sexually explicit materials.

If an adult wishes to have unrestricted access to the Internet, service may be obtained from an Internet Service Provider in password protected manner after making a payment. However, the user is responsible for use of the service in responsible manner and should ensure the filtered websites are not accessible to children.