The Telecommunication, Television, Radio and ICT Services constitute vital resources for the economic and social development of Sri Lanka, and they need to be well utilized for the country’s advancement. The proper and efficient operation of the telecommunication network required to serve both national and international telecommunication needs would lead to greater benefits for telecom operators, other
telecom parties and the customers.

One of the significant objectives of the Mahinda Chintanaya is the establishment of Sri Lanka as a Regional Hub for Asian telecommunication networks.  The construction of the Kokavil Multi -functional
Transmission Tower is an important milepost on the road to achieving this goal.

Telecommunication network policies and the rules of procedure that should be followed inimplementing these policies were drawn by a Committee of Experts and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for its approval. The membership of this Committee was drawn from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL), Central Environmental Authority, Urban Development Authority, Ministry of Defence, Institution of Engineering & Technology, University of Moratuwa, University of Colombo, Ministry of Health & Nutrition, Department of Meteorology, Ceylon Electricity Board, Ministry of Provincial Councils & Local Government and Civil Aviation Authority.

The expansion of telecommunication networks in the country is being carried out by PSTN Operators that have been granted licenses by the TRCSL. The following Table illustrates the growth of telecommunication networks in Sri Lanka since the year 2005:

The following Table denotes the number of Telecommunication Centres that will be established in the Districts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces pursuant to the proposed development and expansion of telecommunication network infrastructure in these areas (2010 –2011):

This Kokavil Transmission Tower has been utilized in the past to serve the radio broadcasting  needs of the people in the region and the members of the security forces serving in the Northern Province. During the humanitarian operations of Sri Lanka’s armed forces, Government troops recaptured the Tower. Today, this restored Tower will be declared open by his Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The Kokavil Tower, the largest and highest transmission Tower in Sri Lanka, is 174 meters in height. It was reconstructed at a cost of Rs.330 million under the Uthuru Wasanthaya Programme. The experts have identified this Tower as the highest self-standing Transmission Tower in South Asia. The space of this Tower is to be utilized for installing telecommunication, television, radio and other government institutional facilities. This multi-functional Transmission Tower will be of help in removing problems associated with interference in telecommunication, television, radio, and information and communication technologies affecting the communities in the Northern Province.  It is also expected that the Tower will provide adequate space and facilities for the use of the state and private media and telecommunication channels.

This Kokavil Multi - Functional Transmission Tower was re -built under the auspices of the Uthuru Wasanthaya Programme and under the direction of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and the Mass Media and Information Ministry, with the Central Engineering consultancy Bureau playing a leading role in its restoration.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka wishes to gratefully acknowledge with thanks the valuable contributions and services rendered towards the re-construction of this Tower by Hon. Basil Rajapakse, President of the Uthuru Wasanthaya Executive Committee and Minister of Economic Development, Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, the Minister of Mass Media and Information, the various institutions attached to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, the services provided by the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army and its Signals division.