Children's radio channel goes on air
Ranil Wijayapala
COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday launched Sri
Lanka's first ever radio channel dedicated to children showing his
commitment towards children's development after dedicating the year 2006
for children and setting up a separate Ministry for children.
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation's Vidula channel is the first
ever radio channel in Sri Lanka as well as in Asia dedicated for the
children.
Inaugurating the Vidula radio channel from Temple Trees, President
Rajapakse said he was happy that the SLBC could launch this new radio
channel in 2006, declared Children's Year by his Government.
"The launch of this new radio channel is the second most meaningful
step taken by me as the leader of the country towards the uplift of
children after setting up a separate Ministry," the President added. "I
believe Vidula will play an exemplary role in improving the knowledge
and moral values among children in the country playing an opposite role
to the other radio channels which are blamed by critics for the
deterioration of the culture and the language," the President added.
He said the radio channel will help improve the talents and
creativity of children undergoing their education at under-privileged
schools in remote parts of the country joining with the regional radio
services.
"Children's views should be given priority when taking decisions on
them going against the present trend of adults taking decisions on
children," the President added.
"I firmly believe that this radio channel should be expanded to the
areas in the North and East for the benefit of the children in that part
too.
I believe that the SLBC has the capacity and resources to do fulfil
that task," the President remarked.
Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Secretary
to Information and Media Ministry W.B. Ganegala also spoke at the
inauguration ceremony. SLBC Chairman Sunil Sarath Perera was also
present. |