CTV Promotes teledramas

'CTV', the first television broadcast dedicated for teledramas began telecast from February 1, from 10 am to 1 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday on TNL channel. A member of Ceylinco Group of Companies, CTV Network Limited was officially launched on January 31 at Ceylinco Towers with the participation of Minister of Information and Mass media, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Chairman of Ceylinco, Lalith Kotelawala, Vice Chairman of the group Cecille Kotelawala and Chairman of the TNL television Shan Wickremasinghe.

A large number of cinema and teledrama actors also participated at this event. Through CTV, viewers will have the opportunity to watch their much popular teledramas and award winning teledramas, 'Pem Piyawara' at 10 am, 'Bedde Gedara' at 10.30am, 'Diyaketa Pahana' at 11 am, 'Naana Kamaraya' at 11.30 am and 12 noon 'Doo Daruwo' on weekdays.

On Saturdays teledrama 'Bidena Beduma' will be telecast at 11 am, 'Vihanga Geethaya' at 11.30 am, 'Dedunu Yanaya' at 12 noon, 'Sanda Amawakai' at 2 pm, 'Mayaratne' at 2.30 pm and 'Dangayanta Pamanai' at 3 pm will be telecast along with other music and documentary programmes.

At this event, the CTV felicitated four institutions which conduct award ceremonies to promote talent in the television medium. Rev. Fr. Benedict Joseph for organizing Signis Tele Awards Festival, Chairman of Sumathi Newspapers Limited, Thilanga Sumathipala for organizing "Sumathi Tele Awards", Chairman of the National Film Corporation, Jayantha Dharmadasa for organizing 'State Tele Awards Ceremony' and Chairman of the Kingdom of Raigam, Dr. Ravi Liyanage for organizing 'Raigam Tele Awards'.

At this event the CTV also felicitated veteran actress Irangani Serasinghe and teledrama producer Sanya Mendis for their contribution to the teledrama industry. The day also marked the opening of media academy for training talented younger generation for Television, Cinema, Radio, Advertising, Information Technology and the creative use of the visual medium with digital technology.

The training which comprises both practical and theory is conducted by Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam. The CTV also has initiated a project to make available popular teledramas as DVDs and the first teledrama which was converted to DVD format was Jayantha Chandrasiri's 'Akala Sandyawa'. This would give an opportunity for Sri Lankans abroad and for others who have missed, an opportunity to see and enjoy them.