Exploring Impact of “Dambana Radio” as an Indigenous Community Radio in Sri Lanka

The Vedda are the descendants of the “Balangoda Manavaya” who lived in Sri Lanka in prehistoric times. The original and native language of Vedda people is the “Vedda (Vedi) Language”. The indigenous community radio plays a vital role in protecting their rights for the freedom of expression. In 2010, Girandurukotte Community Radio station was launched as the “Radio Dambana”. Thereafter, it was transformed as community radio which was situated in the Dambana area. However, there is a lack of studies regarding the influence of Dambana radio to address socio-cultural matters, challenges and obstacles faced by the indigenous community. This research was developed to investigate the reasons for the popularity and challenges of Dambana radio among the Vedda community in the Dambana area of Sri Lanka. The purposive sampling technique, quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were applied in this research. The Dambana Radio is the only radio channel in Sri Lanka that targets the Vedda community of Sri Lanka to address cultural identities, values, rituals and arts forms of the Adivasis (indigenous) community. The Dambana radio was one of key media which convinced the significance of Vedi language. The elder people of Adivasis group gather around Dambana radio premises on Friday and listen to programs. Although the Adivasis elder people are interested in listening to Dambana radio, the younger generation is more interested in other radio channels which are available and audible in their area. The younger generation of Adivasis community is not interested in listening to Damabana radio due to adaptation to the novel communication modes. The main challenges were identified as dilapidated conditions in operational space, lack of resources and technology.