The Buddhist TV

The Gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts

The Sri Sambodhi Viharaya and the studio of, 'The Buddhist' TV, is situated at Gregory's Road, Colombo 7. It was established to disseminate the Buddha Dhamma. 'The Buddhist' TV is the Premier Buddhist Television Channel in Sri Lanka and is dedicated primarily to the dissemination of the sacred Teachings of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha. The programme content, focuses on the philosophical aspects of Buddhism and is beamed via satellite to viewers the world over, 24 hours of the day.

Inauguration of the Buddhist TV Channel

The patronage extended by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksha, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is indeed a great source of strength and encouragement.

On the day of the inauguration, His Excellency the President mentioned in his speech that, "We live in a world of strife, and that the words of the Buddha would undoubtedly illuminate the world with peace. Towards this end, we should offer the gift of Dhamma, expounded by the Buddha, to all mankind.

Man is faced with unrest and conflict in the world today. Looking for solutions and peace of mind, man will turn to the four noble truths and would walk the path of the Buddha Dhamma to eliminate suffering and unsatisfactoriness."
Establishment and commitment

This Channel is a non profit oriented Organization. It was pioneered by our Most Ven. Daranagama Kusala Dhamma Nayake Thero, the inspiring Chief incumbent of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, at Gregory's Road, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka. The Organisation is sponsored by the generosity of both individuals and insitutions of the public and private sectors, in Sri Lanka and of well wishes from other countries.

History
handing over the studio Key
It is pertinent to point out here how this first ever Sri Lankan exclusively
Buddhist Television Channel came into being. A pious gentleman by the nameof Mr. Muhunthan Canagey, who belongs to the Tamil Community and is a born Hindu who was the CEO of CBN Sat the first ever DTH service

in Sri Lanka, was the originator of this Channel and when this Company was to be acquired by the Dialog TV, he insisted on having a Sri Lankan Buddhist Channel in their religious program package and donated all the equipment including the Studio to Sri Sambodhi Viharaya.

The supreme patronage extended by His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksha the President of democratic Socialist and republic of Sri Lanka is a perennial source of strength and the encouragement.

On inaugurating the first ever Buddhist TV Channel the Chief Guest His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksha the President of SriOpening Ceremony Lanka said.

We live in a world at a juncture where The Buddhist Philosophy and the principles need to illuminate the whole world We should offer the best gift “Dhamma of supremely enlightened Buddha “ to all mankind who suffer the life in view of many conflicts and unrest between them, The people may be convinced that the best and only solution is found in the four noble truth and the path for elimination of suffering in the sacred teaching of lord Buddha.
A Message from the Most Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thero, the President of ' The Buddhist' TV.

Educated at Royal College, Colombo ,the Most Ven. Thero, read for a Masters Degree at the University of Kelaniya ; and proceeded to be of Dhamma Service, as the Chief Incumbent of the Vajirarama Dhamma School in Bambalapitiya.The Most Ven. thero, received Dhamma instruction and guidance, to be of service to the Buddha Sasana and to be of service to the Nation, from the Most Ven. Mahanayake Thero of the Amarapura sect; Aggamaha Panditha Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Nayake thero; an erudite prelate at the time.

Ven. Dharanagama Kusaladhamma Nayake Thero assumed resposibilities, as the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, from the Most Ven. Piyadassi Nayake Thera, an erudite prelate at the time. Ven. Kusaladhamma thero was the Principal of the first 'Dhamma School', which disseminated knowledge of the Buddha Dhamma in the English Medium. As President of the ' Parahitha Sanvidanaya' ( to assist those in need) and the 'Sri Buddha Rashmi Samaja Sanwardhane Padanama' ( to develop and nurture a righteous society, enriched by the dhamma within Sri Lanka ),Ven. Kusaladhamma thera provides ,dynamic leadership to these organisations.Ven. Kusaladhamma thero has spanned the island of Sri Lanka with varied meritorious activities which touch the hearts and minds of countless people within Sri Lanka and across the world. This is evident in his untiring effort as President of 'The Buddhist' Media net work which was inaugurated on 15th May 2011, with ( 'The Buddhist' Radio transmission),and on 17th January 2012 , with ('The Buddhist' T.V.; which telecasts programmes 'live' and with the issuing of the 'Sri Sambodhi' Monthly Magazine). Today, programmes are broadcast and televised 'live' ,on 'The Buddhist' net work within Sri Lanka and it reaches millions around the world and is viewed in every corner of the globe, by those who may wish to see and hear the Buddha Dhamma.'The Buddhist' brings solace, peace, joy and Metta and above all ,the Words of the Buddha to all mankind.
Mahesha Yahampath - Managing Director

Educated at Isipathana College Colombo, he received Dhamma instruction, from the Most Ven.Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake thera. Assumed responsibilities as Deputy Head Prefect of the Vajiraramaya Dhamma School, in Bambalapitiya and taught at the Vajirarama Dhamma School for over 6 years. Mr.Yahampath was the founder member of the Aranya Senasanaya at Labunoruwa Kandha and is at present, the President of the Dayake Sabha. Work Experience includes, over 14 years of Management experience in the field of Operations, in the Garment sector. Worked in this capacity at Nobles wear (pvt) Ltd.
Shashika Jayathilaka (B.A. , Attorney - at - Law) Director Programmes

Educated at Ananda College, Colombo he received the award for the best student in Buddhist studies in 1996. In 1998 he assumed responsibilities as Head Prefect of Ananda College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Kelaniya and is also qualified as an Attorney at Law. Work experience includes being a Producer of Programmes and being engaged in announcing at Sirasa TV & Sirasa FM of the Maharaja organization from year 2000-2004. From 2004-2009 worked as a Senior Manager at Ceylinco Seylan properties Ltd,. In 2008, he was an Announcer (on a freelance capacity) for ‘The Buddhist’ T.V. Channel and from 2009 has been the Programme Manager for ‘The Buddhist' Media Network.
Astrika Chadrasoma - Director "The Buddhist" – Radio Broad Casting Service.

Educated at Royal College,Colombo.He has over 27 years of work experience being the Additional Director organising Buddhist programmes , at the Sri Lanka Broad Casting Corporation .
K M Ariyasiri - Assistant Director – ‘The Buddhist’ - Radio Broad Casting Service

Educated at Walgama Maha Vidyalaya and having Graduated from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura ; he has over 24 years of experience in the field of teaching. Mr.Ariyasiri has an excellent knowledge of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist teachings. He is at present teaching the subjects of Sinhala,Buddhist Culture,and History at the Vaishakya Balika Vidyalaya.
Dimuthu Prasanga - Accountant

He was educated at the Thissamaharama Maha Vidyalaya. Qualified in a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy - HNDA. He serves as an Audit Trainee at Ponnamperuma & Company, Chartered Accountants. Mr.Prasanga is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).
Prasadini Liyanaarachchi (B.Sc. , M.A.) Manager Administration

Educated at Anula Vidyalaya. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Science from the University of Peradeniya. She further completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial and Business Management and received a further qualification in completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Buddhist Studies, also from the University of Kelaniya. Ms.Liyanaarachchi worked at Hemas Manufacturing Pvt Ltd as an Executive for a period of seven years.
Srilal Withanage (Justice of Peace) Chief Cameramen

Educated at Central College Piliyandala. Qualified in and has work experience in the areas of photography , using Camera and Video equipment, specialised in Lighting, Audio, and in the Editing and setting up of stage back grounds,designing of programmes and in the use of stage make up. From 1993 - 1995 experience in Script writing for the Cinema. 1995 - 2005 - Experienced in filming with multicamera equipment , live coverages of Poya Day programmes, live screenings at the studio, filming of cricket tournaments,musical programmes, live coverage of religious pageants (peraheras) and Dramas on T.N.L. T.V. From 2005 - 2006 he was a member of the camera crew of MAX Television. 2006 - 2007 - member of the camera crew filming tele - dramas, musical programmes on Sirasa TV (on a Free Lance capacity).2007 to date-Divisional Head,of the Camera and filming unit .
Gihan Karunathilaka - Chief Editor

Educated at Bopaththa Maha Vidyalaya at Eheliyagoda. Assumed duties as Head Prefect in the years 2002 - 2004.Successfully completed a Diploma in video Editing & Animation at the Academy of Teleview Technologies.Has a good knowledge of script writing for camera and film productions, including teledramas , documentaries, music videos and for musical shows. Experienced further as a Hardware Technician and a Graphic Designer for a period of 7 years and a further 7 years of work experience in the field of Video Editing, Designing,Animating & Audio Dubbing in Ransilu Video Productions.
Kalyana Alawaththegama - Chief MCR operator

Educated at Matale Vijaya National school. Successfully completed a Diploma of Television Training at the National Institute of Television training in Sri Lanka. Completed a Diploma in Television productions at the National Youth Center, Sri Lanka. Completed a higher diploma in 3D Animation and editing at the Youth Center. Completed a Diploma of Electronic Engineering at City & Grilds at theTechnical Institute.