List of radio networks in Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
Many radio networks are currently active within Sri Lanka
. These networks broadcast a variety of programmes in Sinhala, Tamil
and English language
s in order to fulfill the media and entertainment requirements of the different demographics and ethnically diverse population of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) operated three national services, in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Social awareness messages are often aired on issues such as drunk-driving, drugs and health concerns.
Throughout the authorities many private organizations obtained radio broadcasting licenses from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) and commenced operation of a number of terrestrial radio stations. By 2009, over thirty state and privately owned radio stations were in operation in Sri Lanka. The table below lists those currently active.
(In order of name, Owned/Run by, Base Country)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. These networks broadcast a variety of programmes in Sinhala, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
s in order to fulfill the media and entertainment requirements of the different demographics and ethnically diverse population of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan radio channels
Before 2000, apart from the state-run radio stations, there had been only a few radio channels, operated by three private companies – the Asia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio Networks, Colombo Communication Limited, and the Maharaja Broadcasting Corporation – broadcasting in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. They included:- Gold FM, Sun FM, Hiru FMHiru FMHiru FM is the most popular radio station in Sri Lanka., which is a privately owned Sinhala radio station in Sri Lanka by ABC Radio Networks started in 1998. It covers whole island...
, and Sooriyan FMSooriyan FMSooriyan FM is a privately owned Tamil radio station in Sri Lanka run by ABC Radio Networks started in 1998. It covers the whole island. The network runs sister stations Hiru FM in Sinhala and GoldFM in English.-Frequencies:...
: owned by the Asia Broadcasting Corporation - E FME FME FM is a Colombo, Sri Lanka-based radio station, playing '80s music. Tagged with the catchphrase "Your Lifestyle Station", E FM is one of the three radio channels operated and managed by Colombo Communications Ltd., a subsidiary of the EAP Edirisinghe Group of Companies.E FM broadcasts live at...
, Ran FM, and Shree FMShree FMSri FM , commenced its operations in 1992 as FM99 under the company of Colombo Communication LTD as the first privately owned radio station in Sri Lanka One of the key people of the company at that time was a veteran broadcaster named Livi Wijemanne. The ownership of CCL was transferred to VANIK...
: owned by Colombo Communication Limited (a subsidiary of EAPE.A.P. Edirisingha (Pvt) Ltd.E.A.P. Edirisingha Ltd. is a Sri Lankan company which owns Swarnawahini , Swarnamahal , E-Mobile, and E.A.P. Pawn Brokers....
) - Sirasa FMSirasa FMSIRASA FM – the number one in Sri Lankan radio arena. The trend setters of the modern day broadcasting & the benchmark of the all time novelty of the entertainment industry....
, Shakthi FMShakthi FMShakthi FM is a Sri Lankan Tamil language channel available on air. The word "Shakthi" is an ancient rich Tamil word stands for "power", from ancient Hinduism lord shakthi means god of power...
, Y FM and Yes FMYes FMYes FM is an English radio station in Sri Lanka. Yes FM plays principally Contemporary Hit Radio.Yes FM commenced broadcasting on December 10, 1993 at 6.00 am. It is one of the radio channels owned by The Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd, a leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka. The main target...
: owned by the Maharaja Broadcasting Corporation.
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) operated three national services, in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Social awareness messages are often aired on issues such as drunk-driving, drugs and health concerns.
Throughout the authorities many private organizations obtained radio broadcasting licenses from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) and commenced operation of a number of terrestrial radio stations. By 2009, over thirty state and privately owned radio stations were in operation in Sri Lanka. The table below lists those currently active.
| Radio Station | Frequency | Primary Language | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| City FM | 92.2MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| CRI SRI LANKA | 102.0MHz | Sinhala, Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... , English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... and Chinese Chinese language The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages... |
Active |
| FM Derana FM Derana FM Derana is Free-to-Air Sinhala radio channel in Srilanka. Established in March 2009, FM Derana broadcasts 24hrs a day and it covers over 95% of the Island... |
92.4MHz, 94.5MHz, 95.8MHz, 99.2MHz, 102.3 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| FM Frey | 104.0 Mhz Colombo 93.5 Mhz Minuwangoda | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Testing |
| E FM | 100.4MHz, 93.2MHz, 95.8MHz, 99.2MHz, 102.3 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Everlasting Radio | 97 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Gold FM GoldFM Gold FM is one of the retro stations in Sri Lanka. The station was launched in September 1998. Catering to a mature audience, Gold FM plays music from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. Gold FM broadcasts live from the 35th Floor of the World Trade Center. The station broadcasts on 99.9 FM in the City... |
99.9MHz, 94.7MHz, 102.7MHz, 104.2MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Hiru FM Hiru FM Hiru FM is the most popular radio station in Sri Lanka., which is a privately owned Sinhala radio station in Sri Lanka by ABC Radio Networks started in 1998. It covers whole island... |
94.7MHz, 95.3MHz, 96.7MHz, 107.0MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Isira FM | 88.0MHz, 89.0Mhz, 93.7MHz, 93.9MHz, 97.2MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Kiss FM KISS 898 KISS 898 is a radio station broadcasting in Sri Lanka on 89.8 MHz FM specialising in hip hop, R&B, and dance music. It is part of the Kiss Network and also available online through http://kiss898.com... |
89.8 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Kirula FM | 93.6 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Lak FM | 92.0 MHz,93.3 MHz, 100.1 MHz, 100.2 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Lakhanda Lakhanda radio Lakhanda , the radio channel came to be inaugurated on 15 November 1996, under the preview of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Eventually the channel was amalgamated to ITN on 1997 April 1 on a government cabinet decision. On 2001 April 7... |
97.6MHz, 87.9MHz, 88.5MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Lakviru FM | 91.6 MHz | Sinhala | Testing |
| Lite FM | 89.2MHz, 98.2MHz, 92.5 MHz, 90 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Max Radio Max Radio Max Radio is a Sri Lankan radio channel which broadcasts in Colombo and Kandy. It was launched on 10 September 2006. It is available on 90.6 FM in Colombo, and on 103.2 FM in Kandy. It is a Sinhala medium radio and operated by MGM Networks Ltd.Naveen... |
90.6MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Neth FM | 93.9 MHz, 95.0 MHz, 100.4 MHz, 105.4 MHz, 105.9 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Ran FM | 91.5 MHz, 95.0 MHz, 101.3 MHz, 102.2 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Rangiri Sri Lanka | 91.7 MHz, 96.7 MHz, 98.1 MHz, 107.2 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Real Radio | 87.8 MHz, 93.9 MHz, 106.7 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Rhythm FM (formerly Asura FM) | 87.6 MHz, 95.6 MHz, 100.7 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Sath FM | 103.6 MHz, 103.0 MHz, 103.6 MHz | Sinhala | testing |
| Seth FM | 101.5 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Shakthi FM Shakthi FM Shakthi FM is a Sri Lankan Tamil language channel available on air. The word "Shakthi" is an ancient rich Tamil word stands for "power", from ancient Hinduism lord shakthi means god of power... |
103.8MHz, 105.1MHz, 91.2MHz, 91.5MHz | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Active |
| Shree FM Shree FM Sri FM , commenced its operations in 1992 as FM99 under the company of Colombo Communication LTD as the first privately owned radio station in Sri Lanka One of the key people of the company at that time was a veteran broadcaster named Livi Wijemanne. The ownership of CCL was transferred to VANIK... |
99MHz, 99.3MHz, 93.2MHz, 98.8MHz, 95.8MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe... - English National Service |
90.9 MHz, 95.6 MHz, 96.4 MHz, 96.4 MHz, 98.4 MHz, 99.6 MHz, 100.2 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe... - Sinhala National Service (Swadeshiya Sevaya) |
90.3 MHz, 90.3 MHz, 97.0 MHz, 98.3 MHz, 99.6 MHz, 102.0 MHz, 107.6 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe... - Sinhala Commercial Service (Velanda Sevaya) |
93.3FM, 106.9FM, 92.7FM | Sinhala | Active |
| SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe... - Tamil National Service |
94.2 MHz, 98.8 MHz, 101.3 MHz, 102.0 MHz, 102.4 MHz, 103.5 MHz, 104.8 MHz | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Active |
| SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe... - Tamil Commercial Service (Thendral) |
92.2 MHz, 92.8 MHz, 94.2 MHz, 104.5 MHz, 104.8 MHz, 105.6 MHz, 105.6 MHz, 107.9 MHz | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Active |
| SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe... - Vidula Children's Service |
102.6 MHz | Sinhala, Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... and English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Sirasa FM Sirasa FM SIRASA FM – the number one in Sri Lankan radio arena. The trend setters of the modern day broadcasting & the benchmark of the all time novelty of the entertainment industry.... |
106.6MHz, 88.8MHz, 106.5MHz, 106.2MHz, 101.7MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Siyatha FM Siyatha FM Siyatha FM is a radio channel based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is owned by Voice of Asiya Ltd., which also runs its sister television channel Siyatha TV. Siyatha FM is available on 98.6 FM in Islandwide 90.9 FM from Colombo.-External links:*... |
90.9MHz, , 98.6MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Sooriyan FM Sooriyan FM Sooriyan FM is a privately owned Tamil radio station in Sri Lanka run by ABC Radio Networks started in 1998. It covers the whole island. The network runs sister stations Hiru FM in Sinhala and GoldFM in English.-Frequencies:... |
103.2MHz, 97.3MHz, 93MHz, 97.9MHz | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Active |
| Sun Fm | 98.8MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| TNL Radio | 101.7 MHz, 87.9 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| The Budhhist | 104.5 MHz | Sinhala, English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| V FM | 100.4 MHz, 104.0 MHz, 107.6 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Vasantham FM | 102.4 MHz | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Active |
| Vettri FM Vettri FM Vettri FM is a Tamil radio station in Sri Lanka. The channel started broadcasting on 11 February 2008.Vettri FM reached number 1 in Greater Colombo area in the LMRB ratings released in May 2011.... |
99.6 MHz, 101.5 MHz, 106.1 MHz | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Active |
| Y FM | 92.6 MHz, 101.3MHz, 91.2MHz, 99.1MHZ | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Yes FM Yes FM Yes FM is an English radio station in Sri Lanka. Yes FM plays principally Contemporary Hit Radio.Yes FM commenced broadcasting on December 10, 1993 at 6.00 am. It is one of the radio channels owned by The Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd, a leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka. The main target... |
88.2 MHz, 88.2 MHz, 89.5 MHz, 101.0 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
| Youth Radio | 107.9 MHz, 100.7 MHz, 104.4 MHz, 104.8 MHz | Sinhala | Active |
| Your Radio | 88.3 MHz | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
Active |
Sri Lanka Radio Online
Listeners from outside of Sri Lanka have the ability to listen to Sri Lankan radio stations via third party streaming sites (e.g. the LankaWebNet.info Toolbar which is powered by Conduit or directly from the radio station's website.- Kavasam Dreams Network
- Lanka Media Outlook
- LihiniMedia
- Ransara Community Radio
- Eurolanka radio
- Sri Lankan Radio Player - LankaVista Radio Player
- Nethsara.com
- Srilanka Tamil Radio Stations Live
- Saarega - All Tamil Online Radio
- Nuwan media network (Frey)
- Tharu e Radio
- Radio Srilanka Online
- Jayasri Live Sinhala Radio
International Broadcasters
Several international broadcasters operate radio stations in Sri Lanka or use dedicated airtime on local stations to broadcast their content. (e.g. Sandeshaya by BBC World Service).(In order of name, Owned/Run by, Base Country)
- BBC Sandeshaya - BBC World Service - Great Britain
- CRI Sinhala Service - China Radio International - China
- Voice of Germany - Deutsche WelleDeutsche WelleDeutsche Welle or DW, is Germany's international broadcaster. The service is aimed at the overseas market. It broadcasts news and information on shortwave, Internet and satellite radio on 98.7 DZFE in 30 languages . It has a satellite television service , that is available in four languages, and...
- German - Lihinimedia - Canada
- International Broadcasting Bureau - Government of USA - USA
- Radio Japan - NHK World Network - Japan
- Trans World Network - Vishna Vani
- Europ Sinhala Radio - Up and Public From Paris
- submit2day.com web radio - The Hits Just Keep on Comin
- Jayasri Radio - Live Sinhala web Radio