SMS Blocked on Independence Day
Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry today (4th Feb.) advised all the telecommunication operators in the country to block both incoming and outgoing SMS services from 6am-12noon by an special order. The ministry reasoned that there is a fear that Tamil Tigers might SMS people and make them frightened in order to stop people from celebrating the Independence Day. However, what I feel is, as mobile users, we have LOST our freedom on the Independence Day. And now, as both outgoing and incoming messages are blocked, not only that I won't receive any SMSs from foreign countries (as there will be a long queue of messages and network message centres might automatically clear all the messages (source: Dialog Telekom)) and that I'll have to make a big effort to SMS even after the block is off as the network will be busy, but also, I won't get to know any news on (if) any new bomb explosions, as television channels are broadcasting the Independence Day Celebration and I'm not receiving SMS News Alerts because SMS is blocked. Luckily, I have one alternative - Good ol' radio!
