Dialog Axiata PLC says the deliberate damage and theft of underground fibre optic and copper cables during recent disaster recovery efforts is a punishable offence. 

The company urged the public to immediately inform the nearest Police station if exposed cables are tampered with or removed, stressing that such reports are vital to protect essential services and speed up restoration.

Issuing a statement, the Police Department said Dialog Axiata PLC has requested the Police to inform the public that, due to the severe disaster situation across the country, certain individuals have damaged and stolen underground communication cables (both fibre optics and copper), disrupting essential services 

The company further stated that during road repairs carried out in disaster‑affected areas, underground electricity and communication cables have also been damaged.

Since restoring these services quickly is of utmost importance, the company emphasized that damaging communication cables, cutting and removing them, storing them, or selling them illegally are punishable offences.

It also noted that such acts will be reported to the relevant authorities, and the public has been requested to inform the nearest police station if such incidents occur.

Furthermore, the public has been requested that if underground communication cables are exposed during road repairs in disaster‑affected areas, the relevant institutions should be notified immediately. 

This will help ensure that restoration work is carried out efficiently and services are returned to normal as quickly as possible, it added.

According to the Police, SLT- Mobitel had also previously made a similar request from the public, following the disaster situation in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Telecom–MOBITEL (SLT-MOBITEL) has issued a public advisory regarding fibre and copper cables that have fallen to the ground in certain areas affected by recent disasters.

According to the company, although these cables may appear damaged or inactive, they remain fully operational. 

As such, SLT-MOBITEL has urged the public not to remove, cut, or tamper with them under any circumstances.

The advisory emphasizes that interference with these cables could disrupt essential communication services at a time when connectivity is critical for relief and recovery operations. 

SLT-MOBITEL has therefore requested the cooperation of all residents in affected areas to ensure uninterrupted service. (Newswire)

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