(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has commenced a SMS service from Yesterday (13) to provide the public with the true information on national security and emergency management situations to the general public in the form of an SMS alert.
‘MOD ALERTS’ SMS Service will inform authentic news on national security issues and disaster management emergencies, encompassing the whole country and also news clarifications of national security concern.
The new service was launched by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, General (Retd) SHS Kottegoda during a ceremony, today (13 November 2019).
The new service, mooted by the Defense Ministry is a long felt need that will not only keep the general public abreast of true information but also be an effective tool to prevent the spread of rumors and disinformation that may lead to panic and public commotion, the Ministry said.
This new service is another part of the relaunching of the Ministry’s official website, www.defence.lk in late August, this year.
The service is the result of the corporation between the Ministry of Defense, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and all Telecommunications Service Providers.
Sri Lanka Telecom, Dialog Axiata PLC, Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd, Bharti Airtel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Lanka Bell Ltd, have all joined hands with the Ministry of Defence for the operation of the new SMS alert service.
The new service will be channeled through the Media Centre of the Ministry of Defense in consultation with the office of the Chief of National Intelligence.
The Military Spokesman and Director of the Media Centre, Major General Sumith Atapattu delivering the vote of thanks, thanked all the partner Service Providers for their unrelenting cooperation and support for a national cause and expressed confidence that this new service will prove to be a success in public information broadcasting.
