100 Years of Radio: Sri Lanka Marks a Century of Broadcasting

COLOMBO (News 1st); Today marks 100 years since Sri Lanka first heard the crackle of radio waves, a moment that changed the nation’s cultural and communication landscape forever.

On December 16, 1925, under the leadership of then-Governor Sir Hugh Clifford, the country officially launched its radio service—making Sri Lanka the first in Asia to introduce broadcasting.

Initially operated under a department, the service evolved into Radio Ceylon on October 1, 1949, becoming a household name and a cultural beacon across South Asia.

For decades, Radio Ceylon was the soundtrack of a generation, preserving national identity while entertaining millions.

The archives of Sri Lanka’s national radio remain unmatched, housing Asia’s largest music library, including rare Hindi tracks unavailable even in India.

It also boasts a unique collection of voice recordings of world leaders, making it a priceless historical repository.

The radio revolution didn’t stop there.

In 1994, Sirasa FM brought a new wave of private broadcasting, followed by becoming the first Sinhala station to broadcast 24 hours in January 1995.

Today, Sri Lanka is home to over 50 radio channels in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, reflecting a century of evolution from a single transmitter to a vibrant, multilingual media ecosystem.