How Radio Ceylon became an Asian institution

Sri Lankan station played a major role in building links with India

Radio Ceylon Oldest Transmitter with the studio setup.jpg

Radio Ceylon's oldest transmitter is pictured in this classic studio setup. The station, now called the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp., was launched by British colonial authorities in Colombo in December 1925. (All photos courtesy of the author)

VEIDEHI GITE

May 22, 2024 08:00 JST

Growing up in India, I spent a lot of time listening to Hindi music on Radio Ceylon. I didn't know it at the time, but my attachment to the Colombo-based broadcaster was a perfect example of its extraordinary role in building links between the people of South Asia after independence from British rule.

I was reminded of my teenage listening habits by the recent death in Mumbai of Ameen Sayani, a legendary Indian radio announcer whose long-running music show was a key attraction for listeners to Radio Ceylon, Asia's first radio station, which will celebrate its centenary next year.