Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project expected to be completed by 2025

Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma launched the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project in Colombo this week aimed at digitalising Sri Lankan television transmission.

The project is being rolled out by the Mass Media Ministry in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki were also present at the occasion.

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said the Government aims to complete project by 2025. This project was to be inaugurated a decade ago, but due to various reasons it was delayed. He added that he was happy to take the support for this project from technological giant Japan.

The Government Information Department says that all viewers, broadcasters, and the Government will benefit from the project. The Department pointed out that viewers would be able to remove multiple antennas and watch all TV channels with one antenna, while they would also receive clearer visuals through the digitisation process.

Currently, each channel has to use individual frequency bands under the local broadcasting system. However, with the new digitisation program, the capacity of the Frequency Spectrum in Sri Lanka will increase exponentially, increasing the capacity to a single frequency by eight times or 800%. Due to this, in addition to the existing active television channels in the country, 200 more TV channels will be allowed to broadcast a number of new programs.