BBC takeover of SLBC English Service?
By Shelani Perera
Trade unions of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation are protesting over alleged moves to hand over the English Service frequency to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) .

The unions point out that the take over involves a large sum of money. The unions are demanding that the employees be given a true picture of what is to take place.
The Technical Officers Union has sought an appointment with the Chairman and the Director General of the SLBC to discuss the matter.

Secretary of the Union Kavy Keshwara told The Sunday Times that they were informed of the move by the Director General but were not given any details. "We want to know how this is going to be done. We were first told that it will be done on a certain percentage basis but details were not given. We will be meeting the Chairman on Thursday," he said.

The Sunday Times learns that moves are made to shift the library of the English Service - known to be one of the best in Asia, having a wide and rare collection of songs - to the National Archives. Once it is moved to the Archives the records will be made available to the public.

Meanwhile Director English Service Somapala Perera told The Sunday Times that they have not been officially informed of any move. 'People are talking about such a move but we have not been informed of anything' he said.

Meanwhile SLBC Director General Nimal Lakshapathyarachi who is overseas at present had confirmed to The Sunday Times on an earlier occasion that the English Service will be taken over by the BBC in a bid to upgrade it. However he denied that the English Service will be sold, dismissing allegations that a sum has already been negotiated by the parties.

Back to Top

Back to News

Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Contact us: | Editorial | | Webmaster|