BBC World Service can now be heard in English on FM right across Sri Lanka following the signing of a new agreement with the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). Starting Wednesday 1 September SLBC will broadcast BBC programmes in English on seven of its national FM stations in Colombo, Yatiyantota, Karagahatenna, Haputale, Deniyaye, Radella and Hunnasgiriya.
Michel Lobelle, BBC Business Development Manager, Asia and Pacific said: “Sri Lanka is a key market for the BBC World Service and listeners can now enjoy programmes in perfect sound quality across the country. This new agreement is a crucial step in consolidating our already good relationship, and we look forward to further collaborations in the future.”
Hudson Samarasinghe, Chairman of SLBC, said: “This new venture is truly a historic opportunity in the long tradition of cooperation between the two organisations and SLBC is proud to be associated with the world’s leading international radio broadcaster. We look forward to building more bridges in the future, notably in the areas of co-production, exchanges, and training. The BBC and SLBC are two old friends, and we will work together for many years to come.”
BBC World Service programmes in English will now be broadcast daily on seven of SLBC’s national FM station across Sri Lanka from 0730 to 0930, 1200 to 1300 and 1700 to 1800 local time. The FM stations are 95.6 FM in Colombo, 96.4 FM in Yatiyantota, 99.6 FM in Karagahatenna, 98.4 FM in Haputale, 90.8 FM in Deniyaye, 100.2 FM in Radella and 96.4 FM in Hunnasgiriya.
BBC Sinhala and BBC Tamil Service programmes are already available on SLBC. The BBC is also available on short wave across Sri Lanka.
on Aug 31st, 2004 at 22:48
What does the SLBC get in return for all this? I don’t understand what the SLBC chairman means by exchanges. With the current instability on the island, the BBC network must be vulnerable to attack.