The new chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Nanda Muththettuwegama, has pledged to re awaken the broadcaster’s golden era.

The oldest radio station in South Asia, SLBC was formerly known as Radio Ceylon and launched as Colombo Radio in 1925, soon after radio broadcasting services were launched in Europe.

In recent years, SLBC has been criticised for failing to keep up with the scores of private radio stations that now dominate the airwaves in Sri Lanka.

Muththettuwegama, who assumed duties on Monday, said that the national radio will be transferred to an independent public service.

He requested the support of all employees to regain the institution’s honour by providing impartial information.

Director general Erananda Hettiarachchi and former Director General T.D.K.A. Jayantha were also present at the occasion.