The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) made a great progress with regard to its regulatory functions in the year 2002. • TARIFFS Several tariff proposals were implemented in the year 2002. These proposals were submitted by operators licenced under Section 17 of the Act. • RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT TRCSL is mandated by the Act to ensure conservation and proper utilization of the radio frequency spectrum by operators and other organizations and individuals who need to use radio frequency. Radio frequencies are assigned by the Commission on the recommendations made by the Frequency Assignment Committee (FAC). Radio frequency management comes within the purview of Section 22 of the Act. • PROVISION OF PAYPHONE SERVICES FOR PUBLIC USE A payphone subsidy of Rs.50,000/- was granted to licenced payphone operators to provide payphone facilities to the public on terms and conditions agreed between TRCSL and the operators. 27 payphones were installed under this subsidy scheme. • VENDOR LICENCES - TELEPHONE AND RADIO EQUIPMENT In the year 2002 55 vendor licences were granted. 201 vendor licences were renewed. • TYPE APPROVAL FOR TELEPHONE AND RADIO EQUIPMENT A list of type approved telephone instruments (fixed and mobile) were made available to the public by TRCSL. Availability of these lists of type approved equipment facilitates easy clearance at the point of entry. • CONTRIBUTION BY TRCSL TO THE GOVERNMENT'S 100 DAY PROGRAMME Several payphones were made available to Ranaviru villages (for the use of soldiers with disabilities) centres for children with disabilities and elderly. A PABX System was installed at the Vocational Training Institute for children with disabilities at Wattegama. A payphone was installed at Council for the Blind/Federation for the Blind for the use of white-cane users. • PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMME Several programmes were conducted in many districts. TRCSL participated at many exhibitions including INFOTEL 2002 (Information Technology Exhibition). Presentations were made by staff of the Commission to both national and international audiences. • FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY TRCSL contributes to the Government Treasury. Funds collected from Telecom and Internet Service Providers, Broadcasters, Equipment Vendors etc. During this year the TRCSL collected Rs.465 Million and remitted this sum to the Government Treasury. Furthermore, at present the TRCSL Investment in the Government Treasury is Rs.2, 100 MILLION • NEW `NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS POLICY' Drafting of a new National Communication Policy for Sri Lanka was started in 1999. (This Policy being essential to adjust and keep up with National and International changes in the field of Communications.) Several Public and Service Provider Consultations were had as a part of the process. The Hon. Cabinet of Ministers has now approved this new Policy for implementation. • (TELEPHONE) INTERCONNECTION AND INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY LICENCING CONSULTANCY. The TRCSL commissioned International Consultants (through the Ministry of Economic Reforms, Science and Technology) to draw up of procedures to implement effective National Telephone interconnection arrangements among telecom service providers and to Grant new licenses to Applicants for the provision of international voice services. • THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU) AND THE ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY (APT). TRCSL is the Official Administration and represents Sri Lanka at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). • CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONING OF TELECENTRES. TRCSL is responsible for Construction and Commissioning of 07 Telecentres in Badulla district in association with the Department of Posts. These telecentres will provide  telecommunication facilities in the rural areas. • REPAIR CENTRE FOR TELECOMMUNICATION, BROADCASTING AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT. Construction of the Repair Centre commenced in year 2002 to train unemployed youth in the Kalutara District to carry out repairs to telecommunications, broadcasting and computer equipment. Trainees at any given time would be 150 people. This project will help the youth to obtain employment in other institutions or open their own repair centres.