Sri Lanka Decides To Pull The Plug on Analogue TV

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has terminated the process of issuing licenses for terrestrial analogue television channels.

The decision, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, comes as the country accelerates its Digital Non-Territorial Television Broadcasting Project, launched in 2025.

Currently, 24 television channels, including five state-owned media outlets, operate under licenses issued to 16 institutions using the analogue terrestrial system. However, the frequency spectrum has reached its maximum capacity, prompting the Ministry of Mass Media to push for modernization.

Under an agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Japan, the project aims to implement a single digital terrestrial broadcasting system, delivering high-quality viewing experiences and integrated emergency alert capabilities. The transition is scheduled for completion by 2029, with the analogue system set to shut down two years later.

"Further licensing under the old system is no longer effective," the Cabinet noted, approving a joint proposal by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Minister of Digital Economy.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission will now allocate frequencies for digital terrestrial operations.