Speculation is rife that the Sri Lankan government is drafting a new bill on electronic communication which also covers public broadcasting.  

"A reliable source revealed that the #SriLanka government is drafting a new Bill on Electronic Communication. The draft will have similarities with #SouthAfrican Independent Communication Authority," Shan Wijethunga, a senior journalist, tweeted.

When contacted by Asian Mirror, a senior official from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) said he was not aware of any such move. 

The TRC is directly under the purview of President Maithripala Sirisena and his Secretary, Udaya R. Seneviratne, functions as its Chairman. 

However, several senior ministers and spokespersons of the government have repeatedly pointed out the need to have strict control over public broadcasting. 

The South African authority is a powerful regulatory body operating under the government that regulates both communication and broadcasting sectors in the public interest.