Series of events to mark SLBC's 87th anniversary

Disna Mudalige

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) will celebrate its 87th anniversary on December 16 with a series of events.

SLBC chairman Hudson Samarasinghe addressing a press briefing yesterday at the SLBC premises said an all night Pirith chanting ceremony would be held on December 15 which

would be followed by Heel Dhana next day.

'SLBC Music Night - 2012' has been organized from 9pm onwards on December 16 at the Campbell Park. A Dhahaata Sanni Shanthikarma (18 sanni) will be performed at the SLBC premises from 7.30 pm on December 17.

A grand musical show titled Abiman Rathriya will be held on December 18 at the SLBC Ananda Samarakoon studio with the participation of senior singers produced by the SLBC. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will participate as chief guest at this event.

Chairman Samarasinghe observed that this would be the first occasion President Rajapaksa is visiting the SLBC after he assumed duties as the President.

The SLBC, formerly Radio Ceylon, is the oldest radio station in South Asia, and was founded as Colombo Radio on December 16, 1925. The SLBC laid the foundation for an unofficial radio station on June 27, 1924. Chief Telegraph Engineer and British national Edward Harper was the founder of the SLBC. The SLBC has shifted to the current place on October 5, 1949. D M Kolambage was the first Sinhala announcer of the country 's radio history.

SLBC Deputy Director General T D K A Jayantha also spoke at the press conference.