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| Sunday, 30 May 2004 |
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Rupavahini to go digital by Lakmal Welabada Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) hopes to go digital to give a better service to its viewers. With this system, the SLRC will be capable of launching eight more TV channels and an FM radio service. Nishantha Ranatunga, Director General of SLRC told the Sunday Observer its first step, an 18-month project worth Rs. 600 million, will be launched within three months. By the end of this year, Rupavahini viewers in Colombo and suburbs will be able to experience the new technical system with clearer images and sound. The public could avail themselves of this facility by adjusting a special digital unit, which will be available in the market. At present, only monologue facility is available on our TV sets. The new TV channels will be utilised for educational, sports and other important areas. "At present India is the only South Asian country that has adopted digital techniques for television networks. Sri Lanka will be the second country in the region to have this new network. We hope Sri Lanka Rupavahini will be able to cover the whole country with this service by 2010," said the Director General. He further said that the SLRC would expand its scope worldwide with the new system. The first step will enable viewers in the Middle East and Europe to view Rupavahini, in three months. The second step will provide the opportunity for expatriates in the US to view the national channel. The Director General also said that the new SLRC Management will strictly adhere to the rules and regulations imposed socially and culturally when selecting its programmes. "Being a national channel, the public expects us to be more responsible and cautious, especially when selecting teledramas," he said. "We have already appointed a special Board for this purpose. No teledramas that will harm the cultural, religious, social and moral values, giving bad examples like scenes with smoking and drug addiction, killings and terrorism, sex and violence against women, uncouth words and deeds that are not suitable for children, disgracing disabled citizens or any kind of faith or community and matters that would harm international relations will not be shown," explained Ranatunga. Working with the theme 'With dedication towards responsibility,' the SLRC hopes to telecast programmes that would enhance the morals and values of society such as respecting parents and elders. "Rupavahini will be the channel which all members of the family could sit together and watch without any unease," said Ranatunga. He further said that though there is excess staff at the SLRC, the new Management does not consider terminating anyone's service on unreasonable basis. "Instead, we are trying to assign all of them with some kind of work within the institution," he claimed |
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