Find Media and Broadcasting expertise in Sri Lanka

Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Sri Lankan Constitution. However, some independent observers have suggested that government acts, such as the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act, place legal limits and regulations on this freedom. Nevertheless, many privately owned newspapers and broadcasters continue to provide a diverse range of views and the Colombo-based Free Media Movement continues to campaign for unfettered press freedom. Newspapers are circulated in several languages, including the Sinhala Lankadeepa, Lakbima and Dinamina (state-owned); the English language Daily News (state owned), Daily Mirror and The Island; and the Tamil language Uthayan and Virakesari.

The Sri-Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the state owned TV network, broadcasts Sinhala, Tamil and English language programmes over two channels. Other private channels are also available including MTV, Shakti TV and ETV. The state-owned broadcasting company, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), operates radio stations in Sinhala, Tamil and English, while numerous other private companies operate a range of radio stations.