Statement from the Domain Registry
We refer to Member of Parliament and Chairman of the COPE Charitha Herath’s recent statement implying that the LK Domain Registry transferred from the Moratuwa University to a private company, as a result of some surreptitious move made by some individuals for personal gain.
We would like to categorically state that this entity is not a private company nor a state owned enterprise. It is a company limited by guarantee, most often known as a not-for-profit organisation.
We enclose a concise profile of LK Domain Registry which will give you a clear understanding of its origins and how it functions.
LK Domain Registry Profile
History
Domain Name
registrations for .com etc. were originally carried out by the ARPANET Network
Information Center (NIC), established by the Advanced Research Projects Agency
of the US Department of Defence.
Country code domains were assigned by the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, IANA in the US, to persons involved in the
Internet of each Country. Accordingly, the .LK domain was first assigned in
1990 to Dr. Gihan Dias, who was then in California, USA and operated the domain
from there. He initially held the position of Domain Registrar of the .LK
Domain Registry and later became its CEO. Dr. Dias assumed duties at the
University of Moratuwa in 1992, as a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and
Engineering. As a member of the Academic Staff, he personally handled the LK
Domain Registry, with the support of the Department of Computer Science &
Engineering of the University.
However, as the Internet began to grow in Sri
Lanka and across the world, Dr. Dias requested the Computer and Information
Technology Council (CINTEC) to assume policy and financial responsibilities for
the .LK Domain. This was in 1996, and operational activities continued to be
handled by Dr. Dias, from the Computer Science & Engineering Department of
Moratuwa University.
The University was paid a fee in lieu of the
facilities used by the Registry. In October 2001, the Internet Committee of
CINTEC submitted a proposal to set up an independent body to administer .LK,
while assuring that they would continue to set policy, in line with
international practices. This was to be short lived because CINTEC closed down
after the passing of the ICT Agency (ICTA) act in mid-2003. The newly formed
ICTA declined to take over the responsibilities of CINTEC in registering
Internet domain names, and recommended that an independent body, with
representation from ICTA, TRC and other relevant stakeholders, be formed to
carry out domain registrations in .LK. This resulted in the incorporation of LK
Domain Registry as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 5th March 2004. Since
there was no immediate need for separate business premises, the University of
Moratuwa continued 2 facilitating the operations of the Registry, with
permission granted by its Vice Chancellor. Therefore, the registered address of the LK
Domain Registry continued as the Department of Computer Science and
Engineering, University of Moratuwa, on a temporary basis.
New Premises
However, in 2010, the University of Moratuwa needed the space occupied by the
Registry for other activities and requested that the Registry move out of their
premises. On 11th January 2011, the Registry moved into new business premises
and has been operating outside the university since. The Board For purposes of
transparency and good governance, and the need for government to be involved in
internet policy, the Board of Management of the LK Domain Registry has always
included:
· A member nominated by
the University of Moratuwa
· A member nominated by
the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), and
· A member nominated by
the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC).
In addition,
there are nominees from the Internet Society, Sri Lanka Chapter and the
Licensed Internet Providers’ Association. Other persons of high repute, with
thorough knowledge of the internet and who are active Internet users, are also
selected to the Board.
None of the Board Members or the Chairman are
paid any remuneration and are only paid an honorarium for board meetings. As a
company limited by guarantee, no profits are paid to shareholders, and any
surplus funds are used for the development of the Internet.
The LK Domain Registry continues to provide an
efficient and reliable domain registration service, which is its primary
function. At the same time, the registry supports Internet development, and
works towards the overall improvement of the Internet in Sri Lanka.
Corporate Social Responsibility The Registry has
contributed to building a society that is technology savvy, able to use tools
to increase productivity, and encouraged the future generation to be innovators
who would become positive contributors to society.
The company has initiated a number of corporate
social responsibility projects such as ‘Hithawathi’ and BestWeb.lk, which help
to build responsible digital citizens.
Training & awareness programs on the
advantages and the proper use of the internet are conducted directly by the
Registry as well as in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other
organisations.
The LK Domain Registry will continue to ensure
that domain registrations are conducted in a professional manner. We will
develop the internet, capturing new industry trends, and facilitating its
effective use by our citizens.
LK Domain Registry
Address: 106 Dutugemunu St, Dehiwala 10350
Phone: 0114 216 061
