Details of Voice of America (VOA) operations in Sri Lanka tabled in Parliament

The government today made an undertaking to provide Parliament with details of all foreigners who worked at the Voice of America’s (VOA) transmission center at Iranawila.

Deputy Minister of Mass Media and Megapolis Lasantha Alagiyawanna gave the undertaking in response to a question raised by JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake.

Voice of America began its operations in Sri Lanka in 1985 and suspended its operations in Iranawila with effect from Dec 31, 2016. It had been given 672 acres and three roods of land in Iranawila area as per the provisions of an agreement dated Jan 15, 1985 between the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Service and the US government.

Later the agreement was amended on Dec 09, 1991 and the land area was decreased to 408 acres. The land had been given the Voice of America on lease basis. It had paid Rs 40,000 per month at the beginning and slightly increased the amount been paid as lease. As at December, last year the payment was at Rs 100,000.

(CK)

The Minister tabled in the House the agreements dated 1985.1.15 and 1986.10.24 between the SLBC and the US government and another dated 1991.12.09 between the Sri Lankan government and the US government.

When the Minister was asked for the names of the Sri Lankans and foreigners who worked at the Voice of America’s Iranawila center, he said he would get the necessary information.