Preserve SLBC's historical equipment, says Media Minister

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The historical equipment at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) have to be preserved, Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.

He was speaking at a ceremony at the SLBC yesterday to mark its 40th anniversary.

He said SLBC is one of the treasures of Sri Lanka.

"The SLBC has very valuable historical equipment. We have to preserve and display them. The SLBC is doing well at present earning a significant income. The whole staff is working together and this is the reason for SLBC's success," Yapa said.

The Minister said valuable historical items have to be displayed so that the younger generation will appreciate things of historical value.

Information and Media Ministry Secretary W.B. Ganegala said under the Mahinda Chinthanaya, arrangements will be made to stop Sinhala and Tamil languages being exploited by some media institutions.

"The language should be changed according to changes in the society and in people but purposely exploiting the language is a national crime. Since private radio channels came into operation in the early nineties, the National Radio has successfully still secured its `National Status,' he said.

There are protests against the exploitation of the language by the media. This problem cropped as permits were issued to the private radio channels without introducing any standards. It is now time to solve this by introducing standards for them, he added.

SLBC Chairman Sunil Sarath Perera said since started 80 years ago, the SLBC has made a tremendous impact on the Sri Lankans.

"SLBC broadcasts in seven languages for listeners in Sri Lanka, Asia and the Middle East. SLBC became a corporation in 1967. SLBC has ancient equipment and even the BBC does not have such equipment. We preserve them for the Nation and for the future generations' use," he said.

Delivering a special lecture, Prof. Wimal Dissanayake said the main responsibility of SLBC is producing cultured citizens.

"Building Sri Lankan culture and the identity of Sri Lanka is another main responsibility of the National radio. The radio plays a major role in building public opinion," he added.

He also stressed the importance of communicating disaster information through SLBC. He also stressed the timeliness and importance of setting up the museum for the use of the future generation and as a respect for elderly artistes. Prof. Dissanayake said the language lab will be of immense use for researchers.

A new museum, a disaster communication room and a language lab were opened at the SLBC to mark its 40th anniversary. Tharanga, a magazine published by the SLBC was re-launched during the ceremony. Awards were presented to winners of several competitions conducted by Vidula Children's radio. Several cultural items were presented in between each programme.