Kothmale FM Community Radio

Kothmale FM Community Radio Station is one of four community radio stations operating under the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. It is located in the central region of Sri Lanka in Mawathura, which is about 25km South West of Kandy. The surrounding area is green and mountainous and is primarily a rural region with tea and rice being the dominant plantations.

The station is dedicated to being community focused. Workshops and events for the community are held on a regular basis to encourage local participation. Kothmale FM plays an important role in relaying information regarding health, agriculture and local news. It is also works with local schools and broadcasts cultural, sporting and social events. Given the lack of access to telephones the station also plays a vital role in keeping the community informed in emergency situations.

Photo: The opening of Kothmale FM. The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Senanyake lights the lamp.

The Beginning...

Kothmale FM began broadcasting in February, 1989. At the time Mahaweli Authority (the regional government authority operating in the region) had relocated many families (around 3,000) for Sri Lankas’ second largest dam project. Mahaweli Authority set up the station with the objective of giving information to people who had been relocated.

Many people in the region lost their crops and farming land. They had specialized in various crops like Pepper, Cardoman, Rice paddy fields etc. The land they were given was established with tea estates. Therefore, these people had to learn new cultivation methods and adapt to different conditions. The station was also used to provide information about self-employment and health and was used to create a link between people who were now geographically distanced from one another.

When the station was opened it was fully sponsored by Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and was permitted one hour of transmission per week. In February, 1991 this was extended to three days per week with three hours of transmission per day. At this time the station employed a station manager and operated with the assistance of volunteers. In 1999 the station moved to its larger, current location in Mawathura.

Today..

Currently the station broadcasts 5am -2pm and 5pm-8:30pm Monday to Friday and 5am- 1pm on weekends. The stations morning broadcast has been commercialised and the station collects approximately 75% of its operational costs from this commercial revenue. 19 people are employed as relief announcers and there are 15 volunteers. Financial management remains with the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Photo: August 1st, 2000. Kothmale Fm extends its broadcast hours. The telephone rang non stop as people called in with their well wishes after hearing the new broadcast from speakers situated in nearby towns and villages.

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