The Independent Television Network is now equipped with a full High Definition Studio Complex. The opening of this HD television studio Complex with the highest clarity for the first time in the local electronic communication history took place under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. Several Parliamentarians were present at the opening of this Studio Complex at the ITN Head Office premises.
On arrival at the Wickremasinghepura ITN Head Office premises, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Ministers Gayantha Karunatilake and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Deputy Minister Karunaratne Paranavithana were accorded a very warm welcome. Thereafter they were accompanied to the building housing the Studio Complex bythe Senior Management including Acting Chairman Saman Athaudahetti. ITN staff members too joined in greeting the group of visitors including the Prime Minister.
After unveiling the plague, the Prime Minister, adding a new page in the local television history, declared open the new Studio Complex.
Thereafter Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe joined in the first programme telecast from the full HD Studio Complex. The programme was handled by Senior media personality Chandana Tilakeratne.
Expressing his views during this programme, Premier Wickremasinghe said that ITN was launched with local knowledge and experiences. Rupavahini was started with Japanese knowledge. As such he said that he is glad that ITN is doing its utmost to move forward with local knowledge. The Prime Minister pointed out that they had taken several initiatives to develop the television media.
At the same time there was also a period in which they were not in power. Some utilized the television media not on behalf of the people but for their benefit. As such it was not necessary as 24 hours of the day gave information of them. As such an independent programme was necessary to develop the television media and the film industry.
It was followed by a live telecast of a musical show aired from the full HD Studio Complex. This is the first time that a Full HD Studio Complex has been established by a local TV Channel. This Studio Complex is also an indelible experience within the ITN’s 37-year-old history. Noteworthy is the full contribution made by the Engineers of the institution for the construction of of this Full HD Studio.
The complex which has a floor space of 2600 square feet is equipped with a fully automatic lighting system. The expenditure incurred on this automatic lighting network was nearly 100 million rupees.
The Studio is equipped with four telelvision digital cameras of high clarity and the expenditure incurred on it was 50 million rupees. The studio also has the most modern digital control equipment, a computer recording network and a control room which is equipped with a large number of modern machines. The total cost of the control room is 200 million rupees. The Prime Minister today opened this studio complex established under the first stage.
In addition construction of two more control rooms, a graphic design division, a computerized editing section, a library equipped with modern facilities and a new auditorium has already been completed under the second stage. The expenditure incurred on the entire constructions was 600 million rupees. Thus ITN now enjoys the facilities of a full HD Studio complex, which had been a longfelt need.
The opening of the new studio now gives ITN an opportunity to endow to the viewers, productions with high technology. ITN now also has the opportunity of bringing to viewers, new reality programmes, musical programmes and quiz competitions.
It should be mentioned that the ability for ITN which is considered as a leading television channel in Sri Lanka and also to establish a studio with advanced facilities and technology is a victory achieved due to the strength of its viewers.