Rupavahini, thirty years young
Amalshan Gunerathne
Becoming a jovial companion and a close friend to the local
television viewers, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation celebrated 30 years
of brilliance recently. Established in 1982, Sri Lankan Rupavahini
Corporation has been entertaining the hearts of local television viewers
for three decades.
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SLRC Chairman Mohan Samaranayaka, CEO
Gamini Rasaputra, DDG Engineering Rohan Perera and DDG
Programme Nishantha Ubayawansha at the event. Picture by
Samantha Weerasiri |
At a time when other media institutions are plagued by
commercialized, mercenary trends, Rupavahini has been appreciable at
maintaining its ethics and providing programs with superior quality,
various segments of viewership, Rupavahini has gifted many timeless
television classics to local viewers.
Broadcasting all genres of programs for Rupavahini was at its peak
during early eighties and nineties. Rupavahini introduced a rich
television-drama culture which captured many hearts. Tele-dramas such as
Palingu Manike, Amba Yaluwo, Naadayyo and Du-Daruwo were remembered with
ardent fondness among local viewers.
Rupavahini paid close attention on catering programs to all facets of
viewers. The timeless cartoons such as ‘Pissu Poosa’ and ‘Dosthara
Hondahitha’ and education documentaries such as ‘Muthuhara’ and ‘9.05’,
played a crucial role at nurturing budding, younger generation.
However with the advent of other competitive media institutions and
their pop-culture based approach, Rupavahini has struggled to maintain
the novelty in their approach. One could even argue that Rupavahini no
longer holds the status as the pioneer local television. Some of the
overly traditional and stale programs that they broadcast these days are
not met with a positive response from the younger generation. The
constant change of administration has not helped their cause either.
When asked about the challenges that Rupavahini faces today, the SLRC
Chairman Mohan Samaranayaka noted: “I admit we have flaws, but we are
working towards bringing the glory days back. But I feel that modern
media trends are taking younger generation to a dark abyss. Some of the
programs that other media channels telecast are semi-pornographic in
nature. With the commercialization of the media, maintaining quality of
the television programs has become a challenge.”
Rupavahini has also been home to much-loved artistes and media
personals such as Titus Thotawaththe, Madawala S Rathnaka, Dhamma
Jagoda, Abeywardana Balasuriya, Mohan Samaranayaka, Rosmand Senarathne,
Parakrama Niriella, Lucien Bulathsinghala, Athula Ransirilal,
Wimalarathne Adirkari, Dayarathne Ratagedara and Hema Nalin
Karunarathne. The creative prowess of those individuals played a vital
role at bringing esteem to the institution.
With the hope of enhancing the image quality, Rupavihini also expects
to introduce digital broadcasting system from next year onwards. With
the innovation, they expect to attract maximum available audience
through excellence in dissemination.
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