Rupavahini: 35 years of visual flair | Sunday Observer

Rupavahini: 35 years of visual flair

19 February, 2017

Rupavahini. The name says it all. Rupavahini essentially means “television” in Sinhalese and was the ideal name for the Government’s main television station.

When Rupahavini began transmissions in February 1982, exactly 35 years ago, television was in its infancy in Sri Lanka. Rupavahini was a gift of the people of Japan to the people of Sri Lanka. The Rupavahini logo depicting the “Selalihiniya” is deeply embedded in the nation’s psyche. Today, it is known as the National Channel, offering programmes in all three languages via Rupahavini, Channel Eye, Nethra and NTV.

Rupavahini, which adopted the European PAL 625B standard, was the first colour TV station in South Asia. It became highly popular in South India, which still had no colour TV at the time.

The need for a national television station was felt from the 70s, but the then leaders were farsighted enough to reject a Black and White system offered by several European countries. President J.R. Jayewardene, a lifelong friend of Japan famous for uttering the words “hatred does not cease by hatred” at the San Francisco Conference in 1951, successfully negotiated with Japan to get the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) colour TV system which was technically superior to Japan’s own NTSC system.

The foundation stone for the SLRC (Sri Lanka Rupahavini Corporation) was laid by President Jayawardene on March 4, 1980. Its first chairman was veteran broadcaster M.J. Perera.

Even before the formal opening on February 15, 1982, Rupavahini telecast live the Queen’s visit to Sri Lanka and it also made history by telecasting live Sri Lanka’s first-ever Test match against England in 1982.

From its inception, Rupahavini began telecasting high quality local and foreign programmes that are still about talked about. Among the veterans who were in charge of various programmes were Titus Thotawatte, Dhamma Jagoda, Lucien Bulathsinhala, Parakrama Niriella, Henry Jayasena and Indrani Herath. “Dimuthu Muthu” was the first local teledrama shown on Rupavahini.

Among the well-loved programmes on Rupavahini were Nandana Vindana, Muthuhara, Savanak Res, Eheta Kanata, Sanka Padma and Nuga Sevana.

Rupavahini naturally had a link with Japan’s NHK from the very beginning, followed by Malaysia’s ABH. It is a member of the Asiavision partner network of TV stations. It has won several international awards. Rupahavini News has earned a reputation as the “seal of truth”.

Rupavahini is again at the cusp of a revolution, with digital High Definition and Ultra High Definition transmissions gaining ground around the world.

It is available on the web (www.rupavahni.lk) and via satellite/IPTV. Rupavahini may be stepping out of its youth after 35 years, but the future will be even more exciting.

 

 

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