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Businessmen Anil Wijewardena and Shan Wickremasinghe establish the first TV station, Independent Television Network (ITN), which begins broadcasting on April 15, 1979.

ITN becomes government-controlled on June 5, 1979, following a dispute with President J. R. Jayewardene.

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1982: State-Owned TV Station Established

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1982: State-Owned TV Station Established

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Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), the country's second state-owned TV station, is established by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982 and starts broadcasting on February 15, 1982.

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Private TV stations are allowed to broadcast, regulated by SLRC, breaking the government's monopoly on television broadcasting.

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Prime Time News

NEWS - 6.55 PM

TNL NEWS is a supplementary division of the Telshan Network, boasting coverage via tv, web and mobile platforms. TNL NEWS prides itself on providing news coverage that is fast, reliable and unbiased, delivering both 'hard news' and lifestyle-related news in a manner that is interactive, mobile, and comprehensive. TNL NEWS has a dedicated website, SMS news alerts service across all major telecom platforms, along with Facebook and Twitter accounts administered by a committed team of news presenters and correspondents locally and internationally.

TNL NEWS

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Prime Time News TNL NEWS is a supplementary division of the Telshan Network, boasting coverage via tv, web and mobile platforms. TNL NEWS prides itself on providing news coverage that is fast, reliable and unbiased, delivering both 'hard news' and lifestyle-related news in a manner that is interactive, mobile, and comprehensive.

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Significant expansion of TV channels occurred in Sri Lanka, introducing major players like TV Derana (2005), Shakthi TV (1998), Sirasa TV (1998), and Swarnawahini (1997), which diversified the country's broadcasting landscape.

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UHF / VHF / TV Broadcasting - Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka

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TRCSL-Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka - The Regulator of Telecommunication Industry of Sri Lanka::

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A subcommittee is appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information to propose a policy framework for digitalizing terrestrial television broadcasting.

A policy framework proposal for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) is submitted, recommending the adoption of the DVB-T2 standard.

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Kokavil transmission tower is rebuilt and equipped with DVB-T2 technology.

Harris Broadcast Communications received an order for a DVB-T2 UHF TV transmission solution from SLRC.

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SLRC commences DTT transmissions using the European DVB-T2 system from Kokavil for the Northern Province.

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The journey towards digital migration witnessed twists and turns.

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Sri Lanka considers adopting the Japanese ISDB-T standard for DTT.

The government decides to officially adopt ISDB-T after receiving funding from Japan.

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SLRC adopts the Japanese ISDB-T system and initiates DTT test transmissions in Colombo.

SLRC emerges as a driving force behind the digital transformation of television broadcasting in the country.

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SRI LANKA Digital Television System; ISDB - T Sri Lanka

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The Ministry of Mass Media, in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launches the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project in Colombo.

The government aims to complete the project by 2025, digitalizing TV channels based in the Western Province.

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In 2023, the DTTB project's progress has halted due to suspensions related to foreign-funded projects, like those supported by JICA, as noted by Ministry of Mass Media Secretary Anusha Palpita. Although JICA approved other funded projects, excluding digitalization, Treasury Deputy Secretary R.M.P. Rathnayake clarified that funds would be released after ongoing debt restructuring concludes.

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The Future of Television Broadcasting in Sri Lanka

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The Future of Television Broadcasting in Sri Lanka

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• As we look ahead, it's clear that the landscape of television broadcasting in Sri Lanka is still evolving.

• Stay tuned for more updates as the nation progresses in its broadcasting journey!