Sri Lanka has taken a major step towards digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) with the signing of an Engineering Consultancy Services Agreement under the patronage of Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Isomata Akio.
The agreement was signed yesterday (April 3) at the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), Ministry of Digital Economy, Colombo. Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and Gaku Adachi, Managing Director of Japan Engineering Consultancy Services, formally signed the agreement.
The project is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Mass Media with financial and technical support from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), as part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program. It aims to modernize Sri Lanka’s terrestrial television system, replacing outdated analog technology with digital broadcasting to improve signal quality, efficiency, and spectrum utilization.
Upon completion, the analog transmission system will be phased out, allowing for more telecommunications and digital economy activities. Digital TV technology enables multiple channels on a single frequency band, providing higher efficiency and a superior viewing experience with high-definition (HD) picture and sound quality.
Speaking at the event, Minister Jayatissa emphasized that after 45 years of analog television, the transition to digital broadcasting will ensure free-to-air digital TV services nationwide, enhancing the media, entertainment, and communications industries.
The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harsana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Engineer Eranga Weeraratne, Ministry of Digital Economy Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala, JICA-Sri Lanka Chief Representative Kenji Kuronuma, Deputy Ambassador of Japan Kamoshida Naoaki, and other officials.
