BBC World Service on SLBC from March 1

Irangika Range

[BBC programs in English]

FM frequencies 95.6, 96.4 and 100.2 in Sinhala

FM frequencies 97, 98.3 and 90.3 in Tamil

FM frequencies 105.6, 104.8 and 91.8

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) will re-commence the broadcast of the BBC World Service from March 1.

Listeners will have an opportunity to hear the live broadcast of BBC world service in Sinhala, Tamil and English on SLBC’s national stations from March 1.

An agreement to re-commence the BBC English, Sinhala and Tamil services programs was signed between SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe and BBC Business Development Manager, Asia and Pacific Michel Lobelle at the SLBC premises on Friday.

The SLBC will broadcast BBC programs daily in English over FM frequencies 95.6, 96.4 and 100.2 for one and half hours while the daily Tamil programs over the frequencies 105.6, 104.8 and 91.8. for one and half hours. Meanwhile, Sinhala programs will be broadcast daily over frequencies 97, 98.3 and 90.3. for three and half hours.

Samarasinghe said SLBC has designed to broadcast more balanced programs without bias through the BBC world service. “SLBC is not prepared to use a state-run media organization maintained with public funds for the propaganda of violence. We think the most important thing in the country is to ensure national security over all other aspects,” he said.

This is truly a significant opportunity in the long tradition of concurrence between the two organizations. The SLBC is proud to be associated with the BBC World Service as the world’s leading international radio broadcaster. There are around 2.1 million permanent listeners to Sinhala programs while 6,000 Tamils listen to Tamil programs of the BBC in Sri Lanka.

”We are looking forward to building more bridges in the areas of co-production, exchange and the training,” he said.

Meanwhile,.the SLBC has taken measures to commence a new radio service Dambana Radio FM for the benefit of the Veddha community.

Lobelle said Sri Lanka is an important hub for the BBC World Service and listeners will have an opportunity again to enjoy programs in three languages from March 1.

“This new step will further ensure the good relationship between two countries,” he said.