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Rupavahini aims for new image
By Susitha R. Fernando
The National TV- Rupavahini has introduced a series of new programmes from the beginning of this month. The programmes would covers number of features including a new teledrama belt, news telecasts, film belts and few other feature programmes.

From October 1, a new teledrama betl targeting the young at 7.30 pm has been started. The teledramas will be telecast on five days from Monday to Friday.
“Headline” is the title of another new programme started by Rupavahini. This features a detailed programme of the main incidents of the day.

“Rupavahini is also planning to give live telecast of the incidents from the locations where they have taken place” said Mr. Shirley Anil De Silva, the News Director at a media conference held recently. A programme on the day-to-day life of popular personalities and politicians titled “Known to Unknown” would be telecast soon.

Rupavahini also had started two new film belts for Thursdays and Fridays. Sinhala, Hindi, Tamil and French will be screened at 10.15 pm. Under this Hindi film “Dilka Rishta” will be shown on October 16 and Sinhala film “Aswesuma” (The compensation) of Benette Ratnayake will be shown on October 30. And English movies will be telecast on Fridays at 10 pm and films “Disappearance”, “Poison”, “Black top” and “The Girl Next Door” will be screened every Friday starting from October 10.

“Cinemaya” is another programme for film lovers that would be telecast every Wednesday at 10pm. This programme features film news from Hollywood and Bollywood, cinematography, visual effects of films, enjoying cinema, experiences of film directors actors and technicians and film songs.

Speaking on the technical development in Rupavahini, Additional Director General- Engineering, Upali Arambewela said it has plans to start a digital transmission within a few years. “The TV importers would have to import digital TV receivers instead of Analogue TV receivers which we use now,” he added. In addition Rupavahini is preparing to extend its transmission to Jaffna and international arena via satellite.

During the media conference it was said that the Eye Channel which was launched in 1999 targets the Tamil speaking viewers and this helps to provide cultural and religious programmes in addition to newscasts which also has certain improvements. Earlier, the Tamil newscast was a mere translation of the Sinhala news bulletin but since February 2002 this was changed and 60% of the content of the Tamil news telecast daily at 7pm reflects the aspiration of the Tamil speaking region with due attention paid to the socio-cultural, political an economical as well as religious affairs.

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