5. For the purpose of achieving the objects referred to in section 4, the Authority shall have the following powers, and duties"
| (a) to ensure that the telecommunication services in the country are operated in a manner which will best serve and contribute to its overall economic and social development and advancement; |
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| (b) to advise the Minister in the granting of licences to operate telecommunication systems under this Act; |
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| (c) to advise the government on matters relating to telecommunication including policies on tariffs, pricing and subsidies and legislative measures required for the provision of public telecommunication services ; |
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| (d) to pay due regard to the public interest and the convenience and wishes of the general public as regards the telecommunication services provided by an operator ; |
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| (e) to comply with such general policy directions as may be given from time to time by the Minister regarding the performance of the duties and exercise of the powers of the Authority, and furnish such information as may be required by him in accordance with the provisions of section 67; |
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| (f) to take such regulatory measures as may be prescribed to comply with any general or special directions that may be given to him from time to time by the Government of Sri Lanka in the interest of national security, public order and the defence of the country ; |
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| (g) to direct any operator to comply with requirements laid down by the International Telecommunications Union and other relevant International Organisations in respect of both equipment and technical standards; |
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| (h) to ensure compliance by operators with international or other obligations entered into by the Government of Sri Lanka in relation to telecommunication ; |
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| (i) to assist where requested, the relevant Ministries in the conduct of negotiations to establish agreements with the International Telecommunications Union, other international bodies and foreign telecommunication operators, regarding standards and procedures for the establishment of a telecommunication system ; |
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| (j) where so required at the request of the Minister or of any other relevant Ministry, to represent the Government in international conferences or international and foreign bodies concerned with telecommunication |
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| (k) to specify by rules in consultation with the Minister and the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance, the tariffs or methods for determining such tariffs, taking into account government policy and the requirements of the operators in respect of the telecommunication services provided by the operators : provided that the tariff rates, call charges and other charges in force immediately prior to the transfer date shall continue in force and shall be deemed to be the tariffs specified under this Act, until revised or amended under the provisions of this Act; |
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| (l) to approve interconnection charges and charges for calls between licensed interconnected telecommunication systems where operators of those systems are able to agree on such charges, and to determine such charges where operators are unable to agree ; |
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| (m) to require operators of telecommunication systems to adopt such accounting systems as may be approved by the Authority; |
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| (n) to require any operator to submit to him transmission plans, signaling plans, switching and numbering plans and to approve or modify such plans as well as to publish and ensure compliance with such plans; |
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| (o) to specify technical standards and procedures for the provision of telecommunication services ; |
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| (p) to specify standards for the education and training of technical manpower in telecommunication; |
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| (q) to approve types of telecommunication apparatus which may be connected to a telecommunication system ; |
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| (r) to take such regulatory measures including the issue of directives as may be deemed necessary to monitor the quality of services provided by operators and to ensure that these services conform to standards relating to quality of service specified by rules made under this Act. |
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| (s) to promote, in co-operation with the operators or otherwise, research and development in telecommunication at universities and research, institutes in Sri Lanka ; |
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| (t) to establish such advisory bodies as he may deem necessary for the purpose of advising him on any matter pertaining to the exercise, performance and discharge of the powers, functions and duties of the Authority under this Act; |
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| (u) to negotiate with any public corporation or other person, for the prevention of any obstruction or interference with a radio beam or any communication facility or for the removal of any such obstruction or interference ; |
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| (v) to ensure the conservation and proper utilisation of the radio frequency spectrum by operators and other organisations and individuals who need to use radio frequencies ; |
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| (w) to make and enforce compliance with rules to minimise electro-magnetic disturbances produced by electrical apparatus and all unauthorized radio frequency emissions; and |
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| (x) to do all such other acts which may be incidental or conducive to, the attainment of the objects of the Authority or the exercise or discharge of his powers and duties under this: Act- ; |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts