With the aim of providing instant news to readers, the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) has taken steps to commence an SMS news alert service in all three languages.
Accordingly, subscribers can type Reg(space)DIN and SMS it to 77010 to activate Dinamina news alerts. Similarly, by typing Reg(space)DAILYNEWS and sending an SMS to 77010, Daily News news alerts could be activated and for Thinakaran news alerts subscribers should type Reg(space)TKN and send it to 77010 to activate Tamil news alerts.
Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and ANCL Chairman Anusha Palpita officially launched the SMS news alert service on August 3.
Addressing the gathering at the launch of the SMS news alert service, Palpita noted that as the new generation is more inclined towards new media, ANCL as a media organization should adapt to new media methods and communicate information to the readers accordingly.
He said that the sources of information communication should be changed while adapting to new technological methods, and information should be communicated promptly to the loyal readers who have been with Lake House for many years. He compared the newly commenced SMS news alert service to a sprouting plant and expressed confidence that it would grow into a mighty tree.
The Chairman pointed out that the rising cost of printing due to the current economic crisis is becoming unbearable for all printing establishments, adding that if a peaceful atmosphere can be maintained in the country, this situation would normalize to some extent in the future.
Meanwhile, the Editorial Director of Lake House Senior Journalist Sisira Paranathanthri said that there is no doubt that this SMS service will be a crucial crossroad in the history of ANCL, where it reaches its readers instantly, whereas readers were reached only once a day previously through newspapers.
ANCL Director of Legal Affairs Janaka Ranatunga, Director of Financial Affairs Professor Harendra Kariyawasam, Editors of ANCL newspapers, Deputy General Manager of Advertising Prasanna Sukho Jayasumana and several others participated in this event.
