Rupavahini turns 30 on Wednesday

by Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The National television, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) celebrates its 30th anniversary on February 15 on a grand scale. Several ceremonies have been organised by the SLRC to mark the anniversary. The religious ceremonies representing all religions in the country will be held during the day on February 14, followed by an all-night pirith chanting ceremony and a Sangika dana to 30 Buddhist monks. The musical show will be held on February 24 at SLRC premises, which will be telecast over SLRC on February 26 night. SLRC has three more channels named Nethra TV (Tamil), Channel Eye and NTV (English).

The national identity of the SLRC was fading away during some of the previous regimes due to the westernisation of programs and presentation styles.

The national identity was re-established and strengthened under the UPFA Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Well-known journalist Mohan Samaranayake is the current Chairman of the SLRC.

The SLRC was created in 1982 by an Act of Parliament on January 23, 1982, established on February 14, 1982 and commenced transmissions on February 15. SLRC aims to provide the best possible programmes to satisfy the needs of its viewers for informative, educational and family-oriented entertainment. The SLRC expanded its studio and transmission facilities in 1986 and rehabilitated most of the original equipment using digital technology in 1998 under three grant aid projects from the Government of Japan.

SLRC complex comprises a master control room, four studios, two dubbing studios, digital post production unit, two analogue post production units, several editing suits including non linear editing and four outside broadcast vehicles.