Electronic Media in Sri Lanka

Jayantha Amarasinghe1 , Saman M. Kariyakarawana2 *

1. Professor,Department of Sinhala,University of Ruhuna,Mathara,Sri Lanka.

2. Resercher, Department of Sinhala,University of Ruhuna,Mathara,Sri Lanka.

Through the definition we got to know that electronic media is transmission and
storing of information using electricity. A diachronic systematization pertaining to
the media in Sri Lanka is being carried out by the present study. The sources utilized
to accomplish the task include historical information compiled today by various
individual on this subject, personal experience of the researcher and information
gathered through discussion he had with experts. While the diachronic analysis
relating to it consists of information about its methodical history the synchronic
analyses on the other hand explores its structure. Structures of the electronic media in
Sri Lanka can possibly be located within the structures such as caste, race, religion,
language, wealth and poverty. Diachronic examinations of the media have already
been performed. Out of those studies the ones that have been used for the purpose of
this study include those done on history of the media such as Nandana Karunanayake,
Tilak Jayaratne and Sarath Kellapatha, Upali Jayasingha and Linda Braide. Special
attention has been paid so as to compile even popular views and accurate information
pertaining to history of the media in Sri Lanka and the experience of the present
researcher and information gathered out of interviews have been utilized for the
purpose.

1.Diachronic of Sri Lanka electronic media

It is the telephone which spreads as the first electronic media in Sri Lanka. It is
not a multi-communal media but strictly speaking a medium recognized materialized
as a dual individual communication. It is the radio broadcast which was established in
Sri Lanka as the first multi-communal media.

Considering the enthusiasm of the Ceylon Amateur Radio Society a committee

was appointed to go into the request for establishment of a radio service in Sri Lanka
by the governor in 1922. The members of the committee included M. L. Sreshtha, the
Post Master General, Edward Harper, the Chief Telegraphic Engineer and L. Macray,

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Chairman, Amateur Radio society. It was presided over by Mr. Sreshtha. The business
assigned to the committee was to make recommendations of the following:-

1. Should radio broadcast be commenced in Ceylon?

2. If so should it be done by government or a private body?
3. If private body should license be issued to a single company or a number of
companies?
4. Is it necessary to appoint a board to control radio broadcast? If so how it
should be done?

The recommendations of the committee were as follows:-

1. Permission should be granted to establish radio broadcast in Ceylon. All the

necessary facilities should be made available to the public.
2. Though radio broadcast must be under the control of the government it should
not be managed by the state. Radio broadcast may be entrusted even to the
private sector under conditions stipulated by the government.
3. A single company should not be given the monopoly. At the beginning the
government radio station should broadcast news of the empire and local news
as well as commercial news.
4. Five-member committee should be appointed to decide for what should be
broadcast to control the radio service and to assist the Post Master General.
Post Master General shall be the chairman the quorum shall be three.
(Karunanayake, 1990
38-39) Members appointed to the board were as follows:-
1. Members to represent newspapers
2. A member of the Amateur Radio Society
3. A representation of the electric commercial field
4. A representative of the Board of Commerce
5. A representative of the Inspector General of Police

The state secretary sanctioned this proposal in 1924. Thus the project
introduced by the Amateur Radio Society so as to establish radio broadcast in
Ceylon went on smoothly. The President of the Amateur Radio Society was Mr.
L. Mackrey, the then Director of Education. (do 40) Organization called “Lanka
Wireless Association” came to being in November 1922 became “Lanka Amateur

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 Radio Association in 1923 and later became “Radio Society of Lanka and South
India. (Colombage, 1972:2) “Lanka Amateur Radio Association comprised
English Officials as well as a Sinhalese group of people.” 1

“The British Radio Broadcasting Association was established in December

1922. This is the establishment today known as the British Broadcasting
Corporation. By this time even Sri Lanka began to feel the worth of the Radio
media. As a result “Lanka Wireless Association” was formed in November 1922.
(Colombage 1972: 1-2)

As Colombage says they became zealous concerning radio broadcast in

England simultaneous with that of Sri Lanka. The need of a radio broadcast was
restricted to the communication of information important to and for the
entertainment of a selected social class consisted of higher state officials. A study
of the history of the radio broadcast does not disclose that the said need goes
beyond the personal attempts of engineers such as Harfer who was zealous about
and skilled in it and officials such as MacRay who was personally desirous of it.

It is reported that the radio broadcasts of the months February, June and July
took place under the guidance of telegraph engineers. (Karunanayaka, 1990: 41)
At the same period the Department of Physics of the College House (Present
University of Ceylon) also was using a radio transmitting machine for academic
purpose. Government has issued a license to them free of charge (Colombage,
1971:3).

Amidst a number of experiences of this kind on the 27 of June 1924 Engineers

Association of Ceylon was addressed by William Henry Manning the then
Governor. It was transmitted over the radio by Harfer. Nandana Karunanayaka
points out that it was the origin of the Radio Ceylon (Karunanayaka, 1990: 41).
According to the opinion of the Association of Senior Radio Broadcasters of Sri
Lanka the broadcast of 27 June 1924 was the second radio broadcast.2 (Sri Lanka
Radio Broadcast 2000: 211)

According to both Colombage and the Senior Radio Broadcasters Association

of Sri Lanka the Radio Ceylon was officially originated on 16th Dec. 1925. This
broadcast was commenced through metre 800 by High Clifford, the Governor.
The content of this broadcast included “weather report, Report on Highway, Share

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 market and music.” By 1925 license for radio sets 129 have been issued. By end
of the year the figure rose to 176 (Colombage, 1972: 4) . By year 1926 the number
of license increased up to 448. By end of 1927 the issues increased up to 924. By
1928 the figure rose up to 1290. By 1929 the number of license issued totaled
1380 and by 1930 it was 1408 but in 1930 the figure decreased to 1265. Then
again the number rose to 1348 and by 1933 to 1664. By 1934 the increase was
2342. This shows gradual increase of the number of subscribers. By year 1930 the
duration of broadcast was increased up to 1508 hours per year.

“It must be said that in spite of the fact that the engineering section of the
radio service developed well on the other hand planning of programming was
lagging behind. Till the implementation of the Corporation Ordinance No 37 of
1966, the Radio Broadcast was being operated under a special license issued by
the Post Master General who was vested with powers as per Telegraph Ordinance
No 50 of 1944. (Karunanayaka, 1990: 47)

With effect from October 1949 Radio Ceylon became a separate state
department. In 1962 Department of Radio Ceylon and that of Information were
amalgamated and with effect from 5 January 1967 it became a Corporation.

Radio Ceylon which was changed into the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation
in 1967 once again changed as The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation with the
proclamation of the Republic Constitution in 1972.

Concurrent with the conference of the Non-aligned Nations on 16 August

1976 a television transmission was commenced at BMICH.

On 12 April 1979 “The Rajarata Sevaya” the first regional Broadcasting

Service was established in Anuradhapura. On 14th April in the same year ITN
television service transmission was established. On 8 February 1980 Ruhunu
Service came to being in Matara. In March 1981 Mahaweli Praja Radio Service
was commenced and its transmission was begun in October the same year. In
September same year FM stereo was established. On 13 April 1983 Kandy
Service was introduced.

Test Transmission at Girāndurukotte was commenced in 1985. “Praja

Guvanviduli” transmission at Girandurukotte was started on 11 April 1986. Praja

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 Guvanviduli Kotmale was commenced on 12 Feb. 1989. City FM came to being
on 3rd Nov. 1989. Although transmission at Jaffna was begun on 1st Aug. 1972
transmission at Vavuniya came to being 6th Feb 1993. It was in 1993 that the first
private radio channel FM 99 saw the light of the day. FM island wide transmission
station at Karagahatenna was opened on 17 July 1977. Radio Pulatisiravaya at
Polonnaruwa commence on 12 April 1998. Praja Guvanviduli network project
Kotmale was established on 30 April 1999. (Sri Lanka Broadcasting 75, 2000:
211-224)

These historical details show that the spread/development of the radio

broadcasting media took at a tremendous quickness. Moreover, generally speaking
a clear development in electronic media seems to have taken place following
1977. It was following 1977 under the concept of decentralization that the
regional radio centers came into existence and the development of community
radio service with a view to carrying development news to communities which
had hitherto been not exposed to radio broadcast took place.

Among the recommendations of the commission appointed to go into the

youth insurrection of the south broke out in the period 1988-89 there were
particulars for pertaining to media diversification too. Accordingly a committee
was appointed by President R. Premadasa to look into the question of introducing
a private radio service in March 1990. According to the recommendations of the
committee license were issued in 1992 to open private radio channels.

By 1999 in Sri Lanka there were 4 types of radio services in operation. i.e.

i. National Radio broadcast-state sector transmitted from Colombo

ii. Private Radio FM 99 service transmitted from Colombo
iii. Regional radio broadcast (Rajarata, Ruhuna, Kandy)
iv. Community radio broadcast (Giradndurukotte, Kotmale)

Although there was a diversified radio broadcast in use their content was very
often decided by the state according to their wishes. Objective of Community radio
services itself was to seek the assistance of the public for state’s development
activities. Those community radios did not try to communicate the opinion of the
masses on the other hand they were given a little opportunity to express their views
under the supervision of the Broadcasting Corporation.

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 During the period in question the permit of the private channel FM- License
FM 99 had been issued to Mr. Livy R. Wijemanna. This channel which was opened
on 15 June 1993 was close down with a view to separating programmes according to
language medium on 31 Jan. 1996. This transmission broadcast programmes in
English from 6 a.m. to 10, up to 1 p.m. Sinhala up to 4 p.m. Tamil from 4 to 12
a.m.English. Transmission of the channel was broadcast from the 2nd Floor, Marriot
Hotel, Colombo(https://sites.google.com/site/fm99srilanka/).

Residence of a number of areas such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya etc. had the
opportunity of listening to this channel. It mostly broadcast songs. The artists of the
radio broadcast themselves were working in this channel. Through this private radio
channel much of a difference was not brought about in the use of the radio service.
This channel also had the same content as that of the state radio.

It was in this manner that the uses of the radio broadcast diversified in Sri
Lanka but through this process no considerable change in the media content was
brought about. Even from the very inception the broadcasting (radio) media has been
controlled from Colombo and it fulfilled the need of the residence of Colombo. Until
it was diversified through various private channels its structures had been moulded
according to wishes of the media Minister or Ministry dealing with the subject.
Since early days strict legal regulations have been in force in Sri Lanka (radio)
broadcast.

With the defection of the electronic media from the state regulation a number
of private media establishments were created. Accordingly Sirasa private radio on
02.03.1994, “Savana” radio using technical tools of FM broadcast on 01.03.1996,
“Lakhanda” radio service as the radio broadcast of the Independent Television
Network on 15.11.1996, “Hiru” radio on 01.08.1998, “Taru” radio on 01.09.1998
came into existence. “Isira” radio was opened by TNL Institute in 1998. Then
“Visira” cultural radio in 2000, “EFM” channel in February 2000, “Savana” radio
changing its name as “Sri FM” on 11.08.2000 came to being. (Katolika Mādhya
Parsadaya, 2000: 32-33).

Even through this diversification of (media) channels no substantial change in

the content occurred. A contest among the establishments (of media) commenced in

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which they began using various commercial techniques to gain popularity. It paved
the way for the creation of a novel media culture.

2 Television

“In the month June in 1972, two individuals J. R. Amaratunga, a resident of

Colombo, and Ivor D. Lemercier resident of Dehiwala, had operated a television
transmission within a distance of about 2 miles during a period of about one hour. The
programme transmitted from Dehiwala on Thursday the 15th could be absorbed by
two television sets placed in the house of Amaratunga situated in Gower Street. The
visuals were exceedingly clear.” (Kariyavasam, Tissa, 2006: 52) This shows that by
this time the need of television has already been felt by a few affluent individuals of
the urban society. By the time of the arrival of television in Sri Lanka somewhat
developed electronic media culture had already been rooted in the island through the
influence of radio broadcast. There had already been a number of skilled
communicators as well as subscribers so no sooner the technical needs of television
was fulfilled the latest media was thoroughly embraced by natives. The Sri Lanka
Broadcasting Corporation issued two permits to two private companies on 11 Jan.
1979 to operate a Sri Lankan television service. Chairman Emen Kariyakaravana said
that one of those two companies Independent Television Network Private Firm had
paid rupees one hundred thousand to the government and the other company called
Doris Roat also was given a similar permit. As the second firm referred to above did
not make the payment as a result of their permit automatically became invalid. The
Corporation said that by then there were 2000 television sets in the island and each set
is charged 200/= by way of tax and they were getting about 300 million out of
Rupavahini installation in the country. (“Kariyawasam, 2006: 106) Out of these too
institutions ITN commenced work on 13 April 19793 and the first television broadcast
was transmitted (www.itn.lk/about-itn/) by means of an antenna 65 feet in height,
transmetre of 1KW capacity, within an area of which diameter was 15 miles. ITN
which was taken over by the state with effect from 5 June 1979 has been run as a
business carried out by the government as a state enterprise. It was made a company
run under the state in 1992. At present ITN is operating two television channels for
Sinhala and Tamil and two radio channels.4

By the government gazette published on 22 Jan. 1982 by Act No 6 of 1982

rules and conditions pertaining to the establishment of the National television - Sri
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Lanka Rupavahini Corporation- were enacted. Its part II gives the role of the
corporation. As those conditions are not restricted to one media establishment alone
some of those clauses are given below:-

7 (1) (a) To maintain a television broadcasting service within Sri Lanka and to
maintain an advance standard so as to promote and propagate the said
service, compose programme for the benefit of the public.

7 (i) (c) To implement supervision and control over foreign and other television
groups engaged in producing television programmes for export.

It is the duty of the Corporation to see as far as possible whether the

Programmes broadcast by the Corporation in order to implement the
activities of the Corporation under section ( c ) Subsection 7 (2) (1) are
in accordance with the following rules.

(a) A programme shall contain nothing which is detrimental to proper

appreciation or best behavior or tempting to commit crimes or is conducive to
commotions or harmful to racial feelings or causative of public riots.
(b) Programmes shall maintain proper balance as per local, regional and
international level as per subject matters and a high quality.
(c) News (of whatever kind) included in programmes shall be supply of as per
proper care with accuracy and impartially and for the benefit of the public.

Under the powers of the Minister under section 28, part two of the Rupavahini
Corporation Act the following is stated:-

28 (1) Except the Corporation set up under this Act no person shall, unless he has
obtained a license otherwise, maintain a television broadcast centre.

28 (2) No license shall be issued by the Minister to any person unless he is satisfied
that such applicant reasonable has the necessary technical, financial and professional
qualifications to establish and maintain a private television broadcasting centre.

It is evident from these facts that the necessary legal powers and ethical
sanction have been vested by the constitution with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini
Corporation and the Minister responsible for the subject.

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 The National Television officially commenced its duties on 15 Feb 1982 as
per the Rupavahini Corporation Act No 6 published in government gazette dated 22
Jan 1982. It was promoted up to transmission under digital technology given by
Japanese aid 1998. (www.rupavahini.lk/aboutus.html). At present National
Rupavahini, Channel I and NTV broadcast are being maintained by them. All the
channels of National television are under the control of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini
Corporation which is under state monopoly.

The first private television channel in Sri Lanka is MTV sports channel. It
carried out broadcast in English medium. It was commenced on 14 Dec.1992. Its
owner was Maharāja Organization. This service was transmitted from Colombo
through UHF channel 58 and through 51 from Kandy (www.capitalmaharaja.com/
index.php/ourcompanies/mtvchannel. html)

The second private television channel in Sri Lanka is TNL Rupavahini. It was
commenced on 21 June 1993by Telshan Rupavahini Institute of which Shan
Wickramasinghe is the chairman. It broadcasts through both Sinhala and English
media.

The third private couple of channels commenced in 1995 in Sri Lanka were
ETV 1 and ETV 2. These two were the first 24 hour channels. EAP Edirisinghe
Network establishment owned it. This was one developed as a very large
communication network. It was renamed as Swarnavahini ETV 1 in 1998. ETV 2 was
renamed as ETV. (www.asiawaves.net/sri-lanka-tv.html)

Sirasa channel was commenced by Maharaja Organization on10 June 1998.

Along with Hiru Rupavahini commenced on 23 May 2012 the number of television
channels in operation at present is 21.

By 1990 the computer and the mobile phone technology was commenced
surpassing television and radio broadcast media.

The percentage of number of houses that own television sets in 1985 was
10.77% and it increased to 23.76% in 1995. But by 2000 the number of houses that
own television sets decreased to 22.35% (www.nationmaster.com)

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 Although the total number of private computers in 1990 was 3000 the figure
rose to 20,000 in 1995. By year 2000 the number increased up to 135000.
(www.nationmaster.com)

While the number of mobile telephone connections was 1010 in 1990 the
number increased to 51316 in 1995. By the year 2000 the figure rose up to 430202.
By 2013 the number exceeded even million 15.87.

The ratio of the use of internet by 1995 was 0.00548 and the rate rose up to
0.647 in 2000. While there were internet connections 21000 in 2005 the figure rose up
to 228316 in 2010. By 2013 it increased to million 3.93.

Accordingly after 1990 a rapid growth can be seen in micro media. Although
the use of radio, television and internet telephone too have developed during this
period micro media development has been exceedingly rapid. It is evident from the
above that the transformations that occurred after 1990 has brought about a palpable
change in the content of the media. By the year 2000 this situation has greatly been
developed. If the state tried further to continue her monopoly over the media an
exceedingly discontent would have cropped up in the country and due to collapse of
the data market rulers in power also would have had to face its bad consequences. It is
under this background that the first private radio channel in 1993 and the first
television channel in 1992 came to being.

Many a promise had been given by the government that came to power in
1994. Accordingly broadcasts of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation were given
a reorientation. In keeping with the new set-up an informal educational programme
called “kamkaru prajāva” (labour community) was broadcast over by the Sri Lankan
Broadcasting Corporation of which programme was cancelled by the Minister C.V.
Gunaratne on account of the fact that the content of the said programme had hurt him.
Then one J. Fernando protested that the said cancellation has violated his night to
know others opinion and thus submitted a petition to the Supreme Court and he won
the case. Decision of the court was declared on 30.01.1996. The decision upheld that a
subscriber has a right to interfere with the content of the media as he obtains a license
to listen to the radio.5 After the court decision referred to above by way of a budget
proposal in 1997 cancelling the license of radio and television broadcast the legal

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obligation the listener had to question the content of the media was removed. But on
the other hand the state said that it was a concession granted to the subscriber.6

Linda Brady who studied the Class bases of the media such as newspapers,
radio and television says that without the distinction of whether state owned or private
owned that the people who joined in did enrich their media by bourgeoisie content.
(Brady, Linda, 2005: 7-14)

Notes:

1. L. MacRay, J. S. Winwid, R.F. Dias, M.S. Rockwood, J.F. Joliff, C.A. Humsen, A.E. Holsingor
and M.M.P. Gunawardana were the founder members of this association.
2. Colombage says that this date in 24 June 1924.
3. Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam says that what was done at this day was simply an experiment of
transmission and the launch proper of ITN took place on 14 Apr. 1979.
4. ITN, Vasantam TV, Lakhanda and Vasantan FM
5. Decision of the Supreme Court, Fernando Vs Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation & others,
S.C. Application No 81/95, 22, 23 and 30 January, 1996.
6. A fact revealed at the discussion hold with Sarath Kellapota, 10.05.2014

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