More programmes for children through State media

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: The State media institutions giving more focus on the children will soon come up with special radio channels and newspapers dedicated to the children of the country, the heads of state media organisations revealed yesterday. Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Chairman Sunil Sarath Perera said a new radio broadcast dedicated for children titled 'Vidula' will be launched on March 28.

Addressing a media conference on State media programmes initiated under Mahinda Chinthana, Dr. Perera said the radio broadcast will be launched in collaboration with the Education Ministry.

"This will be specially focused on distance learning programmes for children and for parents," he added.

He said the special broadcast for children will be linked with the Regional Broadcasting Services too.

Director Editorial of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Karu Paranawithana said the Junior Observer, the special children's supplement issued with the Sunday Observer will come up as separate children's newspaper in June this year as the first English newspaper dedicated for children.

"The Junior Observer is now very popular among children and publishing it separately along with the Mihira children's weekly published by the ANCL will greatly benefit the children," Paranawithana added.

Chairman of the Independent Television Network Anura Siriwardena said they will give special focus to children through the Lama Lokaya programme.