The government has extended its tentacles of social repression, purportedly for national security, to mobile phones, by prohibiting the Global Positioning System (GPS) facility, 'Ravaya' reports.
According to this ban, the import and sale of GPS-enabled mobile phones will not be allowed, and the facility will be deactivated in phones already having it.
According to an executive officer of a mobile service provider, they have deactivated the GPS following a directive by the Defence Ministry.
Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission H. Ranatunga said that they were awaiting a further clarification in this regard from the Defence Ministry.
When contacted by 'Ravaya,' Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella has said that he was unaware of such a ban, and asked its reporter to call again in one hour's time.
However, the newspaper had not received any response to any of its several calls to Mr. Rambukwella after one hour.
The GPS facility determines the precise location of a vehicle, person, or other asset to which it is attached and to record the position of the asset at regular intervals.
