5.2.2008
A
new satellite TV Channel ‘Rana Ru’ dedicated
to war heroes was officially launched by the Ministry of
Defence with the collaboration of Dialog TV yesterday (04).
This channel was established with the intention of motivating
and boosting the morale of the forces.
According
to the content manager of the new channel, Major Nilantha
Jayaweera, it will be operated around the clock, in four
sessions of six hour telecasts. The content includes entertainment
programs, defence news,
educational
programs, motivational programs, etc., he added. The first
telecast of the new channel included messages of the President,
the Prime Minster and the Defence Secretary.
President
Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking to the soldiers said that he
is waiting to proclaim the victory over terrorism on the
same TV channel in the near future. He said that he is
delighted as the Commander Chief, that the Defence Ministry
could setup a TV channel dedicated to the war heroes at
a time when certain media are engaged in a mischievous
campaign to down-play and even insult soldiers' sacrifices.
Prime
Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake speaking to the soldiers
expressed his belief that the new TV channel will stand
out and serve as a counter-point to those media institutions
supporting terrorism. He said that the TV channel is a
national requirement at the moment.
Defence
Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, speaking at the launching
event of the channel said that the new TV channel will
be able to strengthen the pride of servicemen and women
and also to boost their morale. He pointed out that at
this critical moment the media should act with responsibility
and the new TV channel would be able to provide a good
example.
Courtesy
- Government Information