Hello goes unresponsive for public at government institutions

• Survey reveals only 29% of telephones functioned properly

By Shane Seneviratne

A recent survey conducted by a team of researchers at Peradeniya University has revealed that only 29 per cent of the telephones in government institutions open to the public were functioning, while others were either out of order or not responding.

The team under Senior Professor Wasantha Atukorala and a group of students under him had carried out the survey covering 25 districts.
Prof. Atukorala said the survey covered a Divisional Secretariat in each district and the selected local authorities and government institutions.

He said 14 per cent of the telephones in 98 out of 276 Pradeshiya Sabhas were out of order and 42 per cent of telephones did not show any response to the ringing.

The Professor said the telephones in 23 Municipal Councils were subject to the survey and that 43 per cent of them had not shown any response. He said 14 per cent of telephones in 36 out of 41 Urban Councils were out of order and 44 percent did not show any response.

Prof. Atukorala pointed out that a large percentage of telephones provided to government institutions would not serve any purpose. He stressed that the authorities should look into this situation and create awareness of the need to show a positive response to public calls and to place an order for the defective telephones.            

•  Survey covered a Divisional Secretariat in each district and the selected local authorities and government institutions