Sunday Times 2
Ayubowan, this is the SLBC, we are 65
View(s):Ayubowan, the Sri Lanka broadcasting Corporation Sinhala Commercial Service — the pioneer and still the most popular radio channel — is celebrating its 65th anniversary this month. With melodies that linger and famous voices that linger, despite competition from about 40 private channels, the SLBC’s affectionate “velanda sevaya” which broadcasts even to the smallest village in the remotest parts of Sri Lanka will conduct a jubilee concert on Friday April 29 at the SLBC auditorium to mark the anniversary. Many veteran singers have been lined up for the anniversary show with music being provided by Sidath Somasundara and the SLBC orchestra.
Chitra Kumarai Kalubowila Paththapperuma, the current Director of the SLBC Commercial Service
Dancing events will be conducted by the troupe of the National Youth Services Council. The chief guests will be Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilleka, Deputy Media Minister Karunarathne Paranavithana and Media Ministry Secretary Vajira Narampanawa. This event is being conducted under the overall supervision of the SLBC Chairman Nanda Muruththettuwegama, Director General Erananda Hettiarahcchi and Deputy Director General (Programme) Mayuri Abeysinghe. The event is being organised by the current Sinhala Commercial Service Director Chitra Kumarai Kalubowila Paththapperuma and coordinated by Sujeewa Harischandra, Controller Presentation and Chandanie de Silva (Controller Programmes). The first Director of the Commercial Service was Clifford R.Dot followed by Laddie Ranasinghe, Ariyadasa Peiris and Livy R.Wijemanne who had started as an announcer.
Gunathunga K.Liyanage was the first permanent Sinhala announcer and later became the director of this
service. The first permanent female announcer was Chandra Wyman. Lalith S.Maithripala and Ariyasena Millawithanarachchi and a large number of veteran announcers worked in this channel.
Director Chitra Kumarai Kalubowila Paththapperuma says the channel has grown in popularity and prestige by providing entertainment, knowledge, education, awareness and by promoting positive attitudes among the listeners. Among its novel and creative programmes are “Sara Praba Gira”, “Radio Column”, “Ma Kemathi Jothi Gee”, “Malathi Latha” and “Man Nuwanakkari”. “Madu Rasanga”, “Listeners request Programme”, “Handa Mama”, group songs “Nivedaka Thorai” and “Baila Ghee” are among the popular sponsored programmes for decades.
The well known Chitra Kumarai says the Sinhala Commercial Service has come a long way in this new era of digital technology it hopes to touch greater heights and be a channel of peace, unity and justice to build a multi racial, multi religious and multi cultural Sri Lanka and a just society with all inclusive development.