The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), the pioneer of electronic media in the country, is celebrating its centenary today, 16 December 2025.
Sri Lankan radio services were officially launched on 16 December 1925 under the initiative of British Governor Hugh Clifford.
Originally part of the Department of Telecommunications, the radio service was reorganized on 1 October 1949 as Radio Ceylon, with John A. Lampson serving as its first Director
On 5 January 1967, it became the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, with Neville D. Jayaweera appointed as its first Chairman and Director General.
Today, SLBC broadcasts three Sinhala, two Tamil, and one English service domestically, alongside five foreign services.
Its regional stations include Rajarata, Ruhuna, Kandurata, Wayamba Handa, Jaffna, Uva Radio, and Pirai FM, while Dambana Radio operates as a community radio.
The National Radio boasts the largest library of recorded songs in Asia, including rare Hindi song records not found in India and a unique collection of world leaders’ voice recordings.
Starting as the first radio service in Asia, the National Radio has played a vital role in preserving Sri Lanka’s national identity and culture.
Through programs in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, it has promoted language, literature, drama, spiritual values, health, agriculture, national development, unity, and reconciliation.
