Sirasa TV (Sinhala: සිරස TV) is a Sri Lankan private television network that was officially launched on 10 June 1998. It was established by MTV Channel (Private) Limited as a Sinhala-language digital terrestrial network and sister television channel to Sirasa FM, an established private Sinhala radio station launched in 1994.
Ownership and Shareholding Sirasa TV is owned and operated by The Capital Maharaja Group (formerly Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited), one of Sri Lanka’s largest multi-sector conglomerates, in joint venture with Gregson Holdings Ltd. Following its launch, the international media firm International Media Management also acquired an investment equity stake in MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd.
The group's broadcasting operations trace back to the establishment of its flagship English service in 1992—initially branded as MTV Channel and later rebranded as MTV Sports before becoming TV 1 (currently operated as TV One). Today, Sirasa TV functions alongside its two primary sister stations:
TV 1 – English and bilingual general entertainment network. Shakthi TV – Sri Lanka’s first private Tamil-language terrestrial broadcaster, launched in 1998.
Corporate oversight and executive leadership for the broadcast division are directed by key executives including Group Director Asoka Dias. The media division's central headquarters are located at Braybrook Place, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka.
Transmission and Availability Sirasa TV broadcasts primarily in Sinhalese and delivers content in 1080p HDTV format. The network is accessible nationwide through free-to-air (FTA) terrestrial UHF relay transmitters, major subscription pay-TV platforms, and digital streaming. PlatformLocation / ProviderChannel / FrequencyFormat / DetailsTerrestrial (FTA)Union Place (Colombo)UHF Channel 23Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirNamunukulaUHF Channel 29Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirHunnasgiriyaUHF Channel 58Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirGammaduwaUHF Channel 23Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirHanthanaUHF Channel 29Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirGongalaUHF Channel 29Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirMinuwangalaUHF Channel 58Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirNuwara EliyaUHF Channel 27Analogue / Digital Free-to-AirPay TVSLT PEO TVChannel 10 (SD) / Channel 306 (HD)IPTVDialog TVChannel 08Digital Satellite Pay TVStreamingWeb / Mobilewww.sirasatv.lkOfficial Live Webcast
Security incidents and attacks Sirasa TV and its news division, News 1st, have been subject to physical attacks and political pressure, particularly during periods of political turmoil and civil conflict in Sri Lanka.
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.
News and current affairs Sirasa TV's news and current affairs programming is produced by News 1st, the central news-gathering division of MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd and the Capital Maharaja Group.Operating under the broadcast slogans "With the People" (Sinhala: ජනතාව සමඟ) and "We Report, You Decide" (Sinhala: සත්යයේ සටහන බුද්ධියේ විමසුමට), the division focuses on breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and public affairs journalism. Established in its multi-platform format in October 2003, the division provides news broadcasts in Sinhala for Sirasa TV, in Tamil for Shakthi TV, and in English for TV 1, in addition to radio broadcasts and digital outlets.
On Sirasa TV, regular programming includes daily prime-time bulletins at 12:00 noon, 7:00 PM, and 10:00 PM, alongside hourly updates titled Live@55. In 2013, News 1st journalist Shameer Rasooldeen received the joint Silver Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize for broadcast journalism at the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Awards in New York.
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. Programming Since its inception in 1998, Sirasa TV has maintained a prime-time programming strategy heavily centered on Sinhala-language teledramas, international reality formats, localized foreign serials, and dubbed animated series. The channel disrupted traditional Sri Lankan state television scheduling by introducing structured evening prime-time drama blocks, interactive audience voting, and high-budget licensed game shows.
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.
Original Sinhala Productions In daily prime-time slots (7:30 PM–9:30 PM), the station airs long-running social, thriller, and romantic dramas. Major ratings drivers over the years have included flagship dramas such as Salsapuna, Neela Pabalu, Aaley, and Kiya Denna Adare Tharam.
Below is a list of notable original Sinhala teledramas broadcast by the network:
Aalawanthi Aaley Adaraya Gindarak Adare Ahasa Tharam Adare Suwanda Aran Ado Ahankara Adare Api Ape Bharyawo Chandoli Daam Dawala Yamaya Eka Diga Kathawak Ganga Addara Gehenu Lamai Hada Wila Sakmana Helankada Hirumali Hitha Langa Hinahuna Hithata Wahal Weemi Ilandariya Kalu Ahasa Kiya Denna Adare Tharam Kotu Kunchanada Lover's Leap Maayarajini Maayavi Madol Kale Weerayo Makara Dadayama Minigandela Neela Pabalu Neela Samanali Oba Nisa Paan Batta Pahasara Piyambana Munissam (Flying Bullets) Rahai Jeevithe Ras Rathu Pichcha Rocky Ruwan Maliga Sakkaran Sakuge Lokaya Sal Mal Aramaya Samarapoori Sanda Tharu Mal Sansara Sansara Sakmana Sidanganavo Sihina Puraya Sihina Wasanthayak Sujatha Suravimana Susumata Pawa Rahasin Thaththa Thurya Uthum Pathum
Situational Comedies Sirasa TV pioneered popular situational comedies in Sri Lanka during the late 1990s and 2000s, establishing a strong foundation with classics like Nonawaruni Mahatwaruni (featuring Rodney Warnakula and Bandu Samarasinghe) and the workplace comedy Yes Boss.
Notable comedy teledramas broadcast by the network include:
Amarabandu Rupasinghe Andun Kundun Dankuda Banda Medi Sina Nebaraya Nonawaruni Mahatwaruni Raja Kaduwa Sabhawen Awasarai Two Rodneys Yes Boss Yes Madam
Sinhala-Dubbed Foreign Serials The channel played a pivotal role in popularizing Sinhala-dubbed foreign soap operas in Sri Lanka, localizing international dialogue and soundtrack tracks.
Indian Dramas: Early localized mega-dramas like Shanti, Mahagedara (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi), and Praveena (Kasautii Zindagii Kay) established deep audience retention. Later acquisitions included Me Aadarayai (Ye Hai Mohabbatein), Swapna (Diya Aur Baati Hum), Imlie, and the supernatural series Prema Dadayama (Naagin). South Korean Dramas (K-Dramas): Sirasa TV introduced Korean wave dramas to Sri Lankan television with localized dubs, including Me Adambarakari (Secret Garden), Himanthara (Descendants of the Sun), Ananthen Aa Tharu Kumara (My Love from the Star), Himathuhina (I Can Hear Your Voice), Ikkai Maai (Pinocchio), and Yawes Lu Kumara (The Emperor: Owner of the Mask). Turkish Dramas: The station expanded into Turkish television dubs with the drama series Kisa (Kadın).
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.
Summary of Reality and Franchise Formats