"We have over 1.2 mn Government Workers and about 450,000 pensioners, who contribute a lot for the development of this country. The government is very much concerned on bringing down the cost of living of these government workers as they are assets of the country. This new package "Upahara" will not only meet their communication needs but will also aid in bringing down their monthly expenses appreciably" said Bandula Gunawardhana, Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and consumer services, addressing the media, on the new communication package introduced by Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel for state sector employees and pensioners which bring unparallel economic benefits to the subscribers.

The minister named this package as an exceedingly welcome package as it brings amazing economic benefits to the subscribers. Minister in his present capacity has taken various initiatives over the last few months to explore the possibilities of bringing down the high cost of living which has raised national concern. Consequently a MOU was signed on 13th August, 2008, between Pradeep Gunawardana, Chairman, Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation and Leisha De Silva Chandrasena, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Telecom and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, with the aim of providing an economical communication solution to the state sector employees and pensioners, which will aid in easing the problems they face due to high cost of living.

Thus Mobitel in collaboration with Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation carefully analyzed the usage patterns and income of its intended subscribers, and designed UPAHARA which enables its subscribers to make voice and video calls free, within the Mobitel network, as well as to fixed line operators, subject to a Fair Usage Policy (FUP). What is exceedingly surprising is that outgoing to all local fixed lines and to Mobitel lines will be free(0000-1800 Hrs) after 1800 Hrs outgoing will cost .50 cents per minute; all incoming calls are free; this serves with their full fledged Super 3.5G/2G network which is spreading towards the furthest corners of the country; Free CLI, MCA etc. Answering the media Pradeep Gunawardana said that if a subscriber exceeds 1000 minutes outgoing limit, they will cost concessionary Rs .50 cents per minute. According to the tariff structure of the UPAHARA package a subscriber has to pay a Rs. 240/= monthly fee.

Pradeep Gunawardana, Chairman of STC (General) said, "we have to consider a number of aspects in selecting a telecommunication service provider who can meet the unique communication needs of state sector employees and pensioners. They are scattered across the country and have a strong affinity to services offered by the Government or affiliated institutions. Thus, we realized that Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel as the National Mobile Services Provider can bring forth the best in technology, coverage and value." He further noted that STC will be the sole distributor of the package and it will be accessible via STC dealers in various parts of the country.