Formulating Policies and Plans for the radio service

Training of Participatory Trainers

Identify Program Categories and Formats

Interviewing techniques, news gathering, writing and delivering

Management and operation

We have received trainings from the Programme Officers of Uva Community radio, Mr. Ajith Wasantha Epa and Mr. lasantha de Silva under following topics

Scrip writing and program production techniques

Interviewing techniques, news gathering, writing and delivering

Announcing and live presentation skills

The Community Radio core group received trainings on equipment and programme editing by the Technical Officer of the Uva Community radio, Mr. Ruwan Prasanna.

Conducted training programmes to obtain knowledge on the role and responsibilities of all the Government and Non- Governmental Organizations that were being carried out in Polonnaruwa district. 22 institutions participated in this workshop. Those institutions were being made aware on the Community radio.

Field visits to villages in Polonnaruwa district to practically utilize the theoretically gained knowledge at the training programmes.

Exposure visits to – Uva Community Radio, Kothmale, Dambadeniya Community Radio stations, Kandurata F.M. to obtain experience on radio. The group was specially able to get information on administrative costs of the radio equipment, etc.

We ourselves developed an administrative structure, code of ethics and guidelines for our Community Radio under the supervision of the World Bank consultant. Under the administrative structure Board of Directors, Communication Committees and Zonal Committees have been established.

Twenty seven villages where the project is being implemented are mobilized on the Community Radio concept. Awareness campaign was held through small groups, Maha Saba meetings, posters, etc.

Activities with regard to the sustainable income generating plan developed for the Community Radio were commenced. The Viharagama People's Company held a Fair and part of its income was grated to the Community Radio project. A project to produce organic fertilizers through rice husk was implemented and 1% of its income was granted to the Community radio Project. Sri Nisankamallapura people's company collected agreed membership fees.

The project report on the Community Radio was compiled and presented to the Project Director and the World Bank and got approval for it. Financial agreements have been signed between the Gemidiriya Foundation and the Pulathisi Federation with the objective of obtaining finance. The Community Radio Group has entered into Memorandum of Understanding with the Pulathisi Federation.

11.02 Mn has been received to purchase equipment necessary for trainings and the Procurement Committee called for quotations and ha purchased equipment and similarly the trainings have been completed

The Nenasala Project was being implemented through the Information Communication Technology Agency. Under that project received 03 computers, scanner and a printer.

An experimental transmission was held on 14 -24 May 2009 very successfully. Community member decided programme schedule. It was as follows.