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 A brief account on radio in Sri Lanka - Part -2
 ( Please note that  part- 1 appears at the bottom of this blog spot.)

Dates and events of Sri Lanka's radio broadcasting are included in this diary in a nutshell.

Broadcasting in Ceylon was inaugurated on  17th June 1924  by the governor Sir William Henry Manning.After nearly one and half years , on  16th December 1925  the new transmitter with a power of 1 kwt. was inaugurated by  Sir Hugh Clifford. From the YMCA building , the studios and the control -room were transferred to Torrington Square in 1927. The very first Sinhala talk on radio was delivered by Pandit P.T.Gunawardena on  28th February 1928. Ven.Pelane Vagiagnana Thero delivered the first Sinhala Buddhist sermon  (Bana)  on  21st April 1928. It should be noted that all the programmes during this period  were transmitted on a medium wave transmitter.Meanwhile in 1934 , an experiments on short wave transmitting was carried out to faclitate listners in the north,hill country and southern  province.  In 1936 a more powerful medium wave transmitter of 5kwt. was installed . A further improvement was done in 1941 by installing a 7.5kwt.  MW transmitter.  

The BBC sinhala magazine programme ' Sandesaya' was started on  27th march 1942. Mr. shirley da Silva who was the superintendent of broadcasting was keen , concentrating  on oriental programmes over Ceylon radio.However he relinquished his duties on 1st August 1942. Mr. H. de S.Gunawardena was appointed on  acting basis and was confirmed on 1st of august 1943.  Colombo radio station at Torrington Square was compelled to shift to Bower House at Borella in September 1942  due to the occupation by the Royal Air Force.  In 1948 Mr. mark Antony Fernando was appointed as an announcer of the english service.

Another appoinment to the engineering department of Radio Ceylon was done in 1948 on February 1st.That was Mr. R.E.H.perera as an assistant engineer.In addition to the already excisting MW transmitter a second was installed and came into operation in July 1948.The programme sevices  moved back to Torrington in 1950. Same year on 3rd august , a sinhala programme which is popular among youth up to now  - 'Yauwana Samajaya' was started.It is a brain-child of Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra.Another popular character of  Radio Ceylon, Mr.H.D.Wijedasa joined as an announcer on 8th September 1951. A comedy programme originated by him - 'Vhilu Thahalu' is still in lime-light. Same year on 19th September Mr. P.Welikala was appointed and later he became a well known Radio drama producer.He was in charged of the BBC 'Sandeseya' from1955-1957 .

                                                                     H.M.Gunaskera

Another "sandeseya' producer Mr.H.M.Gunasekera joined Radio Ceylon on15th October 1951.He was a well established announcer , commentaor and a news reader and appointed as Director Sinhala service in 1972. Later he became Deputy Director-General of progammes at rupavahini corporation.

A commentary on a major event was broadcast  live , on 29th february 1952 from Indpendence Square.It was on the funeral of the first Prime Minister of Ceylon , the late Hon.D.S.Senanayakka.
On the 17th September 1952 Radio celebrated it's 1st anniversary of school broadcasting service.
The sinhala orchestra of Radio Ceylon was formed in 1952.The orchestra  was headed by Mr.Edwin  Samaradivakara.On 19th December 1952 Mr. M.J.Perera (CCS ) took office as the first Ceylonese Director General of broadcasting.A major hall mark in the history of radio drama was , the drama series 'Kurulubedda' written by Mr. P.K.D.Seneviratne.It's 1st episode was aired on 4th January 1953.It's final episode(218) was on the air on 30th march 1957. Another distinguished effort  marks the date April 1953  when a  new magazine was published called 'Tharangani' to feature programmes broadcast over the Sinhala National Service.The N.E.Weerasuriya commission  on broadcasting was appointed to inquire into various aspects of radio on 4th April 1953. It's report was submitted to the government on28th April 1955. Another remarkable day was 8th April 1953  because on that day radio started to 
transmit it's four services ( sinhala , tamil , english , commercial) simultaniously on 4 transmitters .
Mrs.Indrani Herath Gunaratne who became the director of the Education Service in 1980 joined Radio Ceylon On 16th March 1955.The eclipse of the sun in 1955 was a memorable event on which radio aired a live commentary from Hingurakkgoda on 29th june 1955.The participants of the commentary were Dr.E.W.Adikaram and  Mr.H.M.Gunasekera.In the history of commentaries , an
another historical  live commentary went over the air waves on 24th March 1956 on a VHF transmitting link from the summit of Sri pada.Commentator was Mr.Ananda Sarath Wimalaweera ,one of the veteran announcers of Radio Ceylon."Manohari' was the very first radio opera (Guvan viduli geetha natakaya) to broadcast on Radio Ceylon and it was written by Mr.Sri Chandraratna
Manawasinha , the well known poet and lyricist.
In the year of 1956 on the day of 23rd May a new10Kwt. transmitter for the benefit of the sinhala service was installed at Ekala. The listener research is a must in broadcasting thus a listener  research unit was formed and an officer (LRO) Mr.P.W.S.Perera (Soma) was appointewd on2nd July 1956.Mr. Wijithananda Menikdiwela who  was very popular among the listeners of religious programmes was appointed as religious programme - assistant on 1st August 1956. After Mr.M.J.Perera relinquished his duties as DG , Mr.C.J.Serasinghe (CCS) was appointed as Director General on 15thOctober 1956.

                                                                      C.J.Serasinghe       
Mrs.Pearl Ondaatje assumed duties as english programme organizer of English service on 6th April 1957. Mr.Tilak Gunaratne CCS  was appointed as acting DG on 6th June 1958 and confirmed  in 
his post 0n 1st November 1958. The next year 1959 on1st April  Mr.S.B.Senanayake CCS  was appointed as acting DG and assumed duties as DG on 3rd August 1962 . The leader of the sinhala orchestra Mr.Edwin Samaradiwakara died in  October 1959.Mr.W.D.Amaradeva was appointed  in his place. Another Ceylon Civil service member Mr. Ronnie de Mel  was appointed as Director General on 25th November1960. Mr.GerryJayasuriya was appointed as Assistant Director -Commercial Service in December 1961.  Mr.Vincent Panditha CCS  became Assistant  Director General on 1st September 1962  and appointed as DG on 14th May 1965. Mr.K.H.J.Wijedasa CCS was appointed as the National Service Director on 8thSeptember  1962. Mr.D.M.Colombage who was the first sinhala announcer to be appointed to Ceylon Radio  assumed duties of Acting Organizer -sinhala srvice on 1st March 1963. The longest  radio drama series 'Muwanpelessa' which is still in progress was started on 12th March 1964.The first writer of the drama was Mr.Mudalinayaka Somaratna.On 17th february1965 Mr.Nissanka Wijeratne CCS was appointed as DG. On 31st July1965 the government appointed the Hullugalle Commission to inquire into radio broadcasting in Ceylon and it's report was handed over on 15th April 1966.One  of the main
recommendation was to establish a corporation.Thus the corporation came into effect on 5th January 1967. It was 'Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation' Mr.Neville Jayaweera was the first Chairman andDirector General of the corporation..
.                                              

[ The opening of the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation -CBC - by the Prime Minister Mr. Dudley Senanayaka (left). also in the picture , Mr.R.Premadasa (center), Mr.Neville Jayaweera (extreme right) ]

Under the new corporation a training institute was established in January 1968  headed by Mr.Stuart Wavell from BBC. Few years later in 1971 Commercial and Nationa services were renamed as channel  one and channel two , respectively with a proposal by the then Chairman Mr.Susil Munasinghe.On 18th May 1973 Mr.Ridgeway Tillekeratne was appointed as Secretary to the ministry of Information and Broadcasting.In addition to this post , on 1st September 1973 ,  he was appointed as the Chairman and Director General too. Rather unusual appointment was made by the Chairman with recruiting Miss.H.P. Bisso Menike , a blind graduate to read the News in  Brief bulletin daily.She made history in the broadcasting field. That was in 1975. In the same year on July 1st , the studio 6 was renamed  - Munidasa Kumaratunga Studio.
Remarkable changes could be seen at SLBC after the general elections 1977.Mr.Thevis Guruge was appointed as the Deputy Director General and later became DG. Mr.M.D.D.Pieris took over as the Chairman. The sport division started in October1978 under  the leadership of Mr.Carlton Seneviratne , a well known journalist.In 1979 Mrs. Prabha Ranatunga , the very first lady announcer was promoted to the post of Assistant Durector.The first regional station of SLBC was
inaugurated on 12th April 1979.It was 'Rajarata Sevaya' at Anuradhapura. After 'Rajarata' two other Regional Stations were also opened. They are 'Mahanuwara'  and 'Ruhuna'. Regional Stations were the brain child of the then Chairman Mr. Eaman Kariyakarawana.

                                                                      Eaman Kariyakarawana

A new era of electronic media in Sri Lanka was dawn on 14th April 1979 with the introduction of Television - Independent Television Network- ITN ).
'Ruhunu Sevaya' at Matara was established on 22nd January 1980.The death of Mr. Ridgeway Tillekeratne DG from 1973 - 1977. Experimenting on FM transmission in Sri Lanka , a new FM Stereo Service ( Studio STX ) commenced in September 1981. Mahaveli community radio started a
month later in October. On 1st April 1982 Mr. Nandana Karunanayaka assumed duties as Director Research. The 3rd regional station Mahanuwara Sevaya commenced on 13th April 1983.The death occured of Mr.Karunaratne Abeysekara on 20thApril 1983. Mr. T.G. Gunaskera-SLAS - assumed duties as DG on 1st June1983.Mr. Livy Wijemaane was appointed as Chairman on 1st February 1984.Mr.Karunaratna Weeraman was appointed as DG on 12th June 1985.            

           
                                                 K.Weeraman                               

Mr.Swarna sri Bandara the veteran broadcaster and acting Director Rajarata Sevaya died on 9th December1986. The death occured of the veteranbroadcaster Mr. D. M. Colombage on 23rd Nov.
1987 .TheAudience Research Director Mr.Nandana Karunanayakke was made  DG on 13th March 1989. Mr. Hudson Samarasinghe was appointed Additional Directo General on the same day.Mr. Samarasinghe is now the present Chairman of SLBC. Mr. Ealian de Silva was appointed as Chairman in 1989 , tendered his resignation on 18th May1989.Mr. Thevis Guruge was appointed DG and Chairman on 19th May 1989.   The inauguaration of City FM Service was on3rd November 1989. Mr Tilaka Sudharman de Silva who joined Radio Ceylon in 1953 and retired in 1987 , died on 17th November 1989. During his career he  underwent a training at BBC and presented 'sandesaya'.                                                         

                                      Sudharman de Silva

Mr.Hudson Samarasinghe was appointed DG and Chaiman on12th December 1989.

Mr. E.S.T.Fernando died on 30th April 1990.He joined Radio Ceylon as a News Sub Editor and later promoted to Director News.Prior to his retirement he held the post of DDG (Regional Services and news. (The diary of events in the brief history of Radio Ceylon / SLBC from 1924 - 1990 ENDS.)

Lak Handa---------Lak Handa is a new sinhala channel born on 15th November 1996 as a offspring of SLBC under the pioneership of Mr.Newton Gunaratne , the then Deputy  Director General ( Programmes ).Mr.Gunaratne selected a cream from SLBC to man the senior staff of Lak Handa including Messrs.Asoka Tillekeratne , Chandana Tillekeratne , Sunil Chandra Wickremasinghe , Swarna Gunawardena , Asoka Karunanayakke as the prrogramme staff.News Room was headed by Mr.Kusumachandra Arangala while the buisness department was handled by

Mr.N.Sivarajah assisted by Miss Indrani Sudasinghe and Mr.Somasiri Vithana.The engineering section  was lead by Mr. Maurice Peiris assisted by Messrs. P.Bamunusinghe and Anura perera. The Head of the administrative division was Mr.M.J.M.Ashroff. All the communicaters were selected from a group of New  Young Blood.

Lak Handa which Started under SLBC was amalgamated with the ITN on 1st April 1997.Still residing at SLBC premisses ,  Lak Handa carried on till 07th April 2001.On that day Lak handa stepped into a new building with a modern studio complex with Digital equipment.Now Lak Handa is the Radio Wing of the ITN.

 
  

     




                                  

               

  

                                         

    

RADIO PHOTO ALBUM

 

                      Just click to another interesting blog spot on radio / tv 

THE END OF PART - 2

 























          





   

FROM THE DHAMMAPADA

 






View "RATNADEEPA"     

The author of this blog Asoka Tillekeratne on Netherland postage stamp 
For sale-Any offers?-Vintage paper notes from Sri Lanka

One 5cents note dated 1942 & another two 10cents notes dated 1943(Ceylon / Sri Lanka notes) are available for sale.Please E-mail your offers & your details with contact nos: to - veteranads@yahoo.co.uk 

A BRIEF ACCOUNT ON RADIO IN SRI LANKA (CEYLON )
Inaugaration -- In the colonial time,as in other countries, in Ceylon too,radio broadcast was introduced based on the BBC model. In Cylon , the first experimental broadcast was started on 22nd February 1924 at the building of Young men's christian association ( YMCA ).After a few months of experiments ,on 27th June1924 , the radio broadcast was inaugurated in Ceylon by the then Governer Sir William Henry Manning.However there is a strong opinion that it was inaugurated on 1925 Dec.16th,by the then Governer Sir Hugh Clifford.The Post Master General in his report of 1924 was very definite on the fact the inauguration was done in 1924.Even though, the then Radio Ceylon and now SLBC still goes on the fact that their Birthday is on 25th of December 1925.Accordingly , SLBC celebrates it's 85th birthday ,this year-2009

Under government department-- Broadcasting in Ceylon for the first time it is said to be commenced under a government department on the 1st October 1949 and was named - RADIO CEYLON.It was headeed by Mr. John Lapson who came from BBC and he was designated as Director General .Mr.Lampson who introduced some sweeping changes in Ceylon braodcasting, relinquished his duties on 15th August 1952.Mr.M.J.Perera of the Ceylon civil servise who joined Radio Ceylon on 18th April 1952, took over from Mr.Lmpson, making the first Ceylonese director-general of broadcasting.
Some distinguished programmes at the early stage--1."1949-Buddhi mandalaya"- a very popular programme based on the BBC's-"Brain trust".2."Yauwana samajaya"- originaly moderated by Proffesor E.W.Sarachchandra.3."Pansiya panas jatakaya".4."Guvan viduli geetha nataka"-the first of the series was 'Manohari' written by Chandraratna Manawasinha.5."Shastriya sangrahaya" ( the classical hour ). (It should be also noted that Mr.M.J. Perera in his time has done towards the betterment of oriental music over the air waves.His endevour was started in 1953 by introducing a special recording session of nearly 200 Sinhala light songs. 38 singers participated.)

Commercial broadcasting--During the Lampson era,a special attention was paid on earning revenue through commercial broadcasts.Thus the Commercial service was inaugurated on 30th September 1950 and it was headed by Mr.Clifford R. Dodd as the Director. He was an experienced officer who engaged in commercial radio , in his native country , Australia. This is Mr.Dodd -->

Rediffusion--In 1950 , a private company under the license of Broadcasting authourity , started it's Re-diffusion of Radio Ceylon programmes.It was a wired sevice and it's first customer was connected on April 1951. However the company was closed down few years later.

War era-1942 & after--Radio Ceylon was compelled to vacate its Torrington square premises in September 1942 for the occupation of the Royal Air Force.It was shifted to a residential bungalow in Cotta rd. Borella - The Bower House.After the war ,the Cotta rd.premises needed to be vacated in the view of having a newly highly specialised studio & office complex.Plans were drawn to house Radio Ceylon at Torrington Square again , in a newly built building complexIt was accomploshed in 1949 .By 15th August 1950 , the studio complex was even braodened with six studios , ten announcer studios and approximately 3000 sq.ft. of office space.

Corporation--On 31stjuly 1965 , the government appointed a comission of enquiry to enquire on broadcasting of Ceylon , headed by Mr.Herbert Hullugalle. The main recomendation of the commission was for the establishment of a broadcasting corporation . It was approved by the cabinet on 16th September 1966.The second birthday of broadcasting in Ceylon was marked thus , on 5th January 1967. On that day Radio Ceylon became a public corporation.The Prime Minister Mr.Dudley Senanayakka opened the newly established - Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation.The first board of Directors of CBC comprised of - MR.NevilleJayaweera (CCS), Mr.A.L.M.Hashim , Mr.Dharmasiri Kuruppu , Mr. K.A.G. Perera , and Mr. devar Surya Sena . After the first board meeting it was decided unanimously to appoint the chairman , Mr.Jayaweera , to the post of Director General.

Some of the distinguished broadcasters in Sri Lanka
 
  (Please note that this list is NOT in the order of seniority)
  
D.M.Colambage*-The first sinhala announcer, recruited by Radio Ceylon."Kolambin Katakarami" was the station identity at that time. Born on 4.5.1909.  Death -23.11.1987.
                         


 

Ven.Palane Sri Vajiragnana Thero* - The first to deliver a bana (sermon) in Sinhala, over radio.

 
Prabha Ranatunga - The first Sinhala lady announcer recruited by
Radio Ceylon .



Thevis Guruge *- Another pioneer broadcaster at the early stage who Joined as a relief announcer.He ended up as director general & chairman. Born on 23.3.1923,Mr.Guruge was assasinated on 23.7.1989 , by an unknown gun-man. 

Livy.R.Wijemanne *- A veteran English broadcaster who became the director of commercial service. He ended up as , chairman.

M.D.Gunapala* - A Sinhala announcer at the early stage.

Ananda Sarath Wimalaweera*- A very senior announcer ,news reader , controller,
commentator and the director of central-operations.He was also a famous lyricist.
 



M.J.Perera*-The first (Ceylonese) director-general of Radio Ceylon. A senior

member of Ceylon Civil Service.He was also the first chairman of 'Rupavahini
Corporation.

 

Karunaratna Abeyseksera *- Another sinhala announcer who was at his peak of popularity.A well famed sinhala lyricist.Died  on  20th April  1983.


  

Vernon Corea* - A veteran english broadcaster in the commercial service.

 

Nevil Jayaweera - The first chairman and director general of Ceylon broadcasting Corporation.A senior member of Ceylon Civil Service.

     Palita Perera - A senior broadcaster , announcer , producer , director of Sinhala service.The most veteran cricket commentator(sinhala) on radio and television. It is widely believed that Palitha is Sri Lanka's first radio cricket commentator in Sinhala.However his name will be remembered by the local crickrt lovers for his role in popularising cricket among the local masses through his charming cricket commentaries aired over the radio in the Sinhala language since 1963. And, when the live TV coverage began in Sri Lanka for the first time in1982 on RUPAVAHINI , with the tour of Keith Fletcher's England for the Sri Lnaka's inaugural Test Palitha was among the first set of local commentators as well.Completing over 45 years of cricket commentating, the SLBC , on the 30th September 2009, felicitated its faithful member of the staff under the auspices of ARJUNA RANATUNGE World Cup winning Captain, Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and the SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe.Palitha last year , 2008, pened his first book titled ' PALITHA SAMAGA SAJEEWA LESIN " ( Live with Palitha Perera ) trying to chronicle the local broadcasting history in last half century.



Historical TV commentary on 1st Sri lanka's Test . 

Sudharman de Silva* - A senior most announcer,organizer,controller and commentator.
                           

 

 Cyril Rajapakse* - One of the most senior announcers,controller and an established news reader.

Ariyadasa Pieris - A very senior announcer of sinhala commercial service.

  

Premasara Epasinha - A senior cricket commentator.

Lalit S.Maitripala* - A very senior announcer of sinhala commercial service and controller.He was also in the post of chairman of SLBC.A famous lyricist and a poet.

 Nanda Jayamanne - A most senior announcer and controller.






 

Amarabandu Rupasinha* - One of the senior announcers and a veteran news reader.

 
 Premakirthi de Alwis *- The most popular annoncer,commentator,news reader , a well known lyricist.He was assasinated on 31st july 1989 by an unknown gun-man.




Premakirthi - historical Radio commentary from a helicopter on "sevana Athwela"

 
 Daya de alwis - An annoncer in the commercial service and a presentor of womens programmes.A lyricist.

 

  Ratna Lanka Abeywickrema - An announcer in the commercial service and a presentor of womens programmes.A lyricist.

 
 Chandra Vimon* - A senior announcer in the commercial service and a presntor of womens programmes.A very attractive voice in commercial advertising. She died in
the year of 1995.

Dharmasri Wickremasinha - One of the most popular announcers , news reader , and a stage presentor.Also a film producer , a writer and a lyricist.

 
 Tissa Jayawardena *- A veteran news reader and a commentator.

 
 Nandana Karunanayakka* - Director of listners research unit of SLBC. He sreved also as director-general for a short period. His sudden death occured in the early part of 2000.

Madawala S.Ratnayaka* - A programme producer,organizer,a well known lyricist and a novelist.

Hudson Samarasinghe - A senior broadcaster,commentatoe a lyricist and the chairman of SLBC at present.

 Ridgeway Tillekeratne* - A chairman and director-general of SLBC and also served as the secretary for the ministry of information.A senior member of the Ceylon Civil Service. Born on  14th August  1931 he died  on  19th August  1981.

 
Asoka Tillekeratne - An announcer,producer,organizer,controller of SLBC

and Manager of programmes at Lakhanda Radio.Also a narrator in television media.(Author of this Blogspot)

 

H.M.Gunasekera*- A very senior and veteran broadcaster. Latter part of the 1970s he held the post of Director -Sinhala Service. 

Kusumachandra Arangala -Joined SLBC in 1969 as a news assistant and later promoted to News Editor. In 1996 he was released to newly established Lak Handa Radio as Manager News. He was appointed as Deputy General Manger - ITN in 2004. Arangala retired from the service in 2007 . 

 

Newton Gunaratna - Joined SLBC in 1960's as a relief announcer and later promoted to the post of permanent announcer. During his career he has worked as an Organizer, Controller, Director. In 1994 he became the Deputy Director General - Programmes and pioneered the Lak Handa Radio. Then he was appointed as Chairman -ITN and Lak Handa. At present he is the  Sri  Lanka Ambassador to Myanmar.

                                  

Chandana Tillekereatne - Joined SLBC in 1984 as a relief announcer and 4 years after , became a permanent Announcer. Then in 1996 he was released to Lak Handa as Manager - Programmes . In 1998 he left Lak Handa to join Private Media.He came back to Lak Handa as DGM in 2001 , held the post till 2003 and left again to

Private Media. At present Chandana is CEO of 'Sath FM'.   

                                      

 

Amara Gunasekera - Joined  SLBC in 1975 as a relief announcer and became permanent in 1979 .While he was in  his career Amara was very keen and creative in presenting Radio progreammes. He has an unique voice at the microphone.  Amara was also a prominent TV presenter in Sri Lanka . At present he is in France  doing well . In France , First Sinhalese Radio progrmme "Seri Sara" became under his production through Radio Vallée FM, & 2005-2006 production of "Iridha Sangrahaya" through Dan Ceylon (now Dan Lanka)TV.Still Amara is on the most of the Sri Lankan cultural & religios Occasions as a presentator in France.

Mahinda Algama - A veteran broadcaster , producer and  lyricist in Sri Lanka.He joined SLBC about 3 decades ago. In proramme production  ,  Mahinda specialized on children's programmes and radio drama.'Rukattana mala mudune', 'Chandra madulu yata', 'Raan kurulla', 'Lmandune', 'Ridi bubulu val', 'Jeewitaya nawatila' are a few to be mentioned, among a vast number of songs he has into his credit.  





Please note-who are marked * are no more with us

(The above names are Not in the order of serniority)

For more Broadcasters click the following link and select "Radio " Page .
                        http://voicearchive.hpage.com/     
          

 A list of Sri Lankan broadcasters on line- Click

PUBLICATIONS

Starting from 1920s a monthly pamphlet which contained details of radio programmes to be broadcast during the month was sent to all license-holders - free of charge.From 1951 onwards it was sold at 25 cents.In April 1953 for the first time , a new publication named " tharangani " was published in the view of reproducing radio talks,short stories,poetry,dramas etc which was broadcast

over the sinhala service.It was the brain-child of Mr.M.J.Perera (DG)and was welcomed and greatly appreciated by the public. The earlier pamphlet of radio programmes which was up graded as a magazine named "Radio Times" was also well appreciated by the listeners.

Notes-: 1.After Ceylon changed her name as "Sri Lanka"under thenew constitution in 1972 , Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) too was identified as "Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation" (SLBC).

2.Television in Sri Lanka- The first television transmission was commenced on 14th April 1971 by the 'Independent television network (ITN) on a small scale project of a private venture.ITN was the brain-child of Mr.Shan Wickremasinghe . After few months ITN became a government owned business undertaking (GOBU) on 5th June 1979.

3.Sri Lanka Television Corporation (Rupavahini) -SLRC , also known as 'Jatika Rupavahini' was created by an act of parliament , SLRC Act no: 6 of 1982.

SLRC covers island-wide.

(The End)