News

The genesis of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka

Published

2 years ago

2023/09/10

Cecil de Mel

The Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) existed as an as association since 1950, but it was a very closed group and membership was restricted only to invitees. That was entirely due to its colonial past, as it was started by the white planters who wanted to contact Colombo, at a time when telephone communications were not advanced and one had to wait sometimes up to eight hours for a trunk call.

Licenses to operate and call signs were given to white men and others of social standing with links to the white rulers. After World War II, things began to change, as war surplus equipment, unused and in their original packing, began to be available on the pavements, at unbelievable prices. Our veterans say that a Colins transceiver could be bought for 50 rupees and 807 valves at a mere five cents each.

This created an avenue for locals to take an interest in radio, firstly as short wave listeners, which led to experiments in transmitting. But it was still illegal to operate without a valid license and call sign. This was the biggest obstacle, as membership of the society was by invitation, although by then an examination structure was in place.

An entrant had to pass the technical examination, pass a Morse Code test in sending and receiving at 12 words per minute, after which a security clearance was mandatory, before considering you for the grant of a license and call sign.

Those were the hurdles before us and many who had licenses obliquely prevented others from getting it, by restricting access to the fraternity of radio hams. There have even been instances of petitioning against some who had passed the examinations, on grounds of social standing and family backgrounds and alleged connections with anti – government organizations.

That was the background and various attempts even to register the Society were opposed by those opinion makers as it would have led to a demolition of their grip on the Society. As time went by things began to change with the arrival of the D A R C, (of West Germany) Who conducted a 21 day residential course in Electronics & Amateur Radio, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

I had the fortune to participate in this course and many others at different levels of competence received certificates. Still, we had to pass the technical examinations conducted by the Telecommunications Department, in order to receive our licenses. That was the situation in 1978, when I received my 4S7CD call sign.

From 1980 to 1984, I was employed at the Bahrain National Gas Company, ‘BANAGAS’ Bahrain, and obtained a reciprocal license and call sign A9XDH / A92DH. I can remember picking up a brand new 807 transmitting valve from the Junk box of ARAB, for future experimentation with older devices, which became very useful later on

Sometime in 1990, when OM Ernie 4S7EP became President, he persuaded me to take an active part in RSSL. I was appointed Treasurer, and assigned the task of Incorporating RSSL as a legal entity. Some say that he roped me in to provide him transport for attending meetings as by that time I had a four wheeler.

It took one whole year to deliberate on every clause, letter, comma, and full-stop to reach achieve a unanimous consensus, and that was the day I breathed a sigh of relief, as I had never toiled in this manner as a Chartered Company Secretary.

The opposition came not for want of skill or competence, but from the needs of some, with twisted minds to throw a spanner in the works and make it crash altogether. I had to steer clear of every such individual, or pressure group, and fortunately we had a long standing past President, OM John 4S7JA, who gave me every encouragement.

The final document of incorporation was greatly acclaimed as a perfect blueprint for future expansion of the amateur service, by professional observers. I have taken all steps to record accurately what took place after 1999, when Ranjit 4S7RR ceased to be President.

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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

Published

8 hours ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

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“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM

Published

9 hours ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.

Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.

This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”

The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)

The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”

The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)

The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.