Sirasa TV

2009 Depanama studio attack

On 6 January 2009, an armed group of masked individuals raided the newly constructed MBC/MTV studio and transmission facility in Depanama, Pannipitiya. The assailants held security personnel and staff at gunpoint, assaulted employees, and damaged master control rooms and broadcast hardware before detonating explosives and setting fire to the facility. An unexploded Claymore mine was later discovered and defused by authorities on the premises.

The raid followed heightened tension after state-controlled media criticized Sirasa TV's reporting on the military's capture of Kilinochchi during the Sri Lankan Civil War. Although broadcasting was temporarily interrupted, transmissions resumed later that day using backup equipment. The attack was widely condemned by domestic and international press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), UNESCO, and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Two days after visiting the bombed facility to condemn the raid, investigative journalist and *The Sunday Leader* editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated.

2022 attacks on News 1st journalists

On 9 July 2022, during the Aragalaya protests, a team of News 1st journalists reporting live outside the private residence of then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo was assaulted by personnel from the Sri Lanka Police and the Special Task Force (STF).

A secondary crew sent to assist the injured journalists was also subjected to baton charges and tear gas. At least eight News 1st personnel—including reporters Sarasi Peiris and Kalimuttu Chandran, and camera operator Varuna Sampath—sustained injuries and were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. The televised assault prompted protests from media trade unions and condemnation from international organizations, including CPJ, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the IFJ, leading to disciplinary suspensions for several senior police officers involved.

Current affairs programming

Sirasa TV broadcasts several regular political analysis and discussion programs:

• Satana (Sinhala: සටන; lit. 'The Fight') – A weekly live political debate program broadcast on Tuesday nights, featuring panel discussions between government and opposition politicians alongside audience participation via social media.
• Dawasa (Sinhala: දවස; lit. 'The Day') – A weekday evening current affairs broadcast focusing on political developments and legislative proceedings.
• Pathikada (Sinhala: පැතිකඩ; lit. 'Perspectives') – A weekday morning interview segment hosted by Asoka Dias, featuring discussions with politicians, economists, and civil society figures.
• Aluth Mawatha (Sinhala: අලුත් මාවත; lit. 'New Path') – An analytical program examining domestic policy, economic issues, and international affairs.

Community initiatives

News 1st also operates Gammadda (Sinhala: ගම්මැද්ද; lit. 'Heart of the Village'), a rural community outreach initiative initiated under Capital Maharaja Group chairman R. Rajamahendran. In collaboration with researchers from the University of Peradeniya, the project conducts field surveys to document infrastructural issues in rural communities, including access to clean drinking water, village transport links, and school facilities. The initiative mobilizes private donations and community volunteer networks, maintaining local village societies (Gammadda Saviya) for project maintenance and a volunteer corps (V-Force) for disaster relief.

Teledramas

Prime-time broadcasting on Sirasa TV (7:00 PM to 10:00 PM) is dominated by serialized daily dramas. The network produces original Sinhala teledramas while also broadcasting Sinhala-dubbed acquisitions from India, South Korea, and Turkey.

Reality Television & Licensed Game Shows

In mid-2005, Sirasa TV introduced the modern reality TV concept to Sri Lanka with Sirasa Superstar, adapted from the global Idol format. The show ran for seven seasons from 2005 to 2016, drawing over 22,000 applicants during its inaugural season, establishing Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium finale attendance records, and pioneering short-message service (SMS) shortcode voting (e.g., 7788) in Sri Lankan entertainment.

Following the success of homegrown shows, MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd acquired Sri Lankan rights to major global media franchises:

• Sirasa Lakshapathi – The official Sri Lankan adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, running for 12 seasons.
• The Voice Sri Lanka – Licensed from ITV Studios/Talpa, spanning main, The Voice Teens, and The Voice Kids editions.
• Sri Lanka's Got Talent – The Sri Lankan adaptation of Fremantle's Got Talent franchise.
• 5 Million Money Drop – Local adaptation of Endemol Shine's The Million Pound Drop.
• Sirasa Catchpoint – High-energy physical game show format launched in 2024 adapting BBC One's The Celebritiy Catchpoint.

Children's Programming and Animation

Sirasa TV introduced a dedicated dubbing department to translate international Western animation into Sinhala. Translators including Chandra Ranatunga, Chaminda Keerthirathna, Rochana Wimaladewa, Gaminda Priyawiraj, and Suneth Chithrananda localized international cartoons using culturally familiar humor, poetic Sinhala rhymes, and domestic character naming conventions.

Culturally prominent localized series include:

• Soora Pappa (Asterix the Gaul) – Renowned for its rich Sinhala dialogue and character names ending in "-pappa" (e.g., Soora Pappa, Jim Pappa).
• Tin Tin (The Adventures of Tintin) – Adventure series dubbed into Sinhala.
• Giripura Aththo (The Flintstones) – Localized adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera stone-age comedy.
• Dagaya (Dennis the Menace) – Popular children's animated comedy.
• Api Raja Ibbo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) – Action animated series.

Variety, Lifestyle and Comedy

Sirasa TV also broadcasts non-scripted entertainment, cookery, and magazine programs:

• Api Nodanna Live – Iconic sketch-comedy and hidden-camera show featuring band and comedic skits.
• Magic Seeya – Children's illusion and entertainment magic program.
• Kedella – Architectural and home interior design magazine program.
• Auto Vision – Motor news and automotive review show.
• Cook Pakshaya – Celebrity culinary competition show.
• Tharu Irida – Sunday evening celebrity talk and lifestyle segment.