About Laksara - History of Laksara Online Radio

History of Laksara and Internet Radio

Laksara Radio – Founded: 2009

Marconi who invented the radio (wireless as sometimes called) may have never ever thought that his invention will one day conquer the world as a so powerful communication tool. In Sri Lanka radio broadcasting was first started in early 1920’s with an experimental basis.

Earlier it was limited to a very short range in Colombo region on a medium wave frequency. As there were limitations on MW broadcasting , the engineers went for short wave broadcasting which carried the radio waves for a long distance. One short coming of SW was that it’s listening was not very continual. But the signal could be picked up at long distances.

Long wave frequencies were not normally used for public service broadcasting. Then in 1970’s in Sri Lanka the radio engineers turned to FM or frequency modulated transmission. Now the Digital broadcasting is also not too far from us.

With such a background the very latest innovation is becoming popular world-wide. On world wide web , you find hundreds of radio stations for which we can listen while we are surfing the internet. One of the most popular internet radio from Sri Lanka is the Laksara (www.laksara.com) which broadcast Sinhala music to the whole world. However Internet listening is now not limited to the computer only. Now its becoming a popular habit to listen to internet radio stations on a radio set which is similar to radio receivers we normally use to listen to terrestrial radio programmes. Who knows it will be seen in hands of everyone (like mobile phones) in the near future.

We can not predict it’s inevitable , unbelievable FUTURE , only Sir Arthur C. Clerk could have predicted it. Now if we think of the technical behavior of “ internet radio receiver technology “the following is a photograph of such a radio receiver

Radio on the world wide web is also known as inertnet radio , web radio, net radio, streaming radio and also as e-radio.

Internet radio involves streaming media , presenting listeners with a continuous stream of audio that cannot be paused or replayed, much like traditional broadcast media.In this respect, it is distinct from on-demand file serving. Internet radio is also distinct from podcasting , which involves downloading rather than streaming. Many Internet radio services are associated with one of the traditional terrestrial radio station . “Internet-only “radio stations are however independent .Internet radio services are usually accessible from anywhere in the world . . Internet radios offer news, sports, talk, and various types of music in the very format that you can listen on traditional radio stations.

Internet Radio Unit

Founders

Late Mr. Asoka Tillekeratne

Mr. Asoka Tillekeratne (Consultant 2009 to 2024)

Asoka Tillekeratne is a radio broadcaster of 45 years of experience, starting broadcasting carrier in 1966 as a relief announcer at the English service of Sri lanka broadcasting corporation.

Then in 1969, he switched over to Sinhala media, as a Sinhala announcer. In1996 November came a turning point in his broadcasting carrier , switching over from Slbc to Lakhanda radio as the manager of programmes. He retired from Lakhanda in 2001. In 2002 he got a contract appointment as Adviser Lakhanda.

Indrasiri Suraweera

Indrasiri Suraweera (Co-Founder)

Indrasiri Suraweera is a radio broadcaster of 28 years of experience, starting broadcasting carrier in 1996 as a relief announcer at the Sri lanka broadcasting corporation.

Then in 1999, he switched over to ‘Lakhanda’ Radio and ‘ITN’, as a Excicutive communicator.

He won the Best Presenter Award at ‘Sumathi’ Television Award, ‘Raigam’ Tele Award in 2012 and State award in 2014. And also he is a famous lyricist.

Dinesh Abeywickrama

Dinesh Abeywickrama (Co-Founder)

Dinesh Abeywickrama Ph.D.(Reading), MBCS, MBA, BCS is a Sri Lankan ICT strategist, researcher and author. In 2009 he founded ‘Laksara’ online radio with Indrasiri Suraweera.

Dinesh is a Professional Member of British Computer Society(UK) and currently working as an Executive Officer at the Capital Maharaja Organization.