{"id":23519,"date":"2017-01-19T17:12:07","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T21:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=23519"},"modified":"2017-01-19T17:12:07","modified_gmt":"2017-01-19T21:12:07","slug":"citing-a-diminishing-audience-us-to-close-iranawila-station-in-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/citing-a-diminishing-audience-us-to-close-iranawila-station-in-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Citing a diminishing audience, US to close Iranawila Station in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>(Source: US Embassy in Sri Lanka<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The United States values its strong relationship with Sri Lanka and our bilateral partnership over the past 60 years. The Iranawila shortwave station, managed by an independent U.S. agency, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), is an example of this partnership. The shortwave station has transmitted Voice of America programs from Washington through shortwave radio signals to audiences around the world, bringing them news, music, and special interest programs about the United States. Without the support of Sri Lankan governments over many years, Voice of America could not have succeeded in its mission of telling America\u2019s story to the world.<\/p>\n

Over time, however, the audience for shortwave broadcasts has diminished. People are increasingly turning to other sources of news and information \u2013 including, but not limited to FM radio, satellite television, websites, and social media \u2013 often delivered via mobile phones. The BBG is committed to reaching audiences on their preferred media. Given changing audience habits and the increasing costs of operating shortwave transmission stations, the BBG decided to close the Iranawila station.<\/p>\n

The land where the station is located was leased from, and is being returned to, the Government of Sri Lanka. During the time of its operation, the U.S. government has developed the Iranawila property, building roads, clearing and levelling the land, building drainage canals, fences, and modern office buildings. The U.S. government has also installed service connections to public utilities and 4.2Mw of onsite self-generated power. All of these improvements have significantly increased the property\u2019s value, and the flexibility of the site to serve many roles in the future. The United States government is returning with gratitude its lease of over 400 acres of property in Iranawila back to the Government of Sri Lanka in its entirety, including any and all improvements.<\/p>\n

Voice of America provides trusted and objective news and information in 47 languages to a measured weekly audience of more than 236.6 million people around the world. For nearly 75 years, VOA journalists have told American stories and supplied objective news and information about the US, their region and the world. For more information on VOA \u2013 www.voanews.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: US Embassy in Sri Lanka) The United States values its strong relationship with Sri Lanka and our bilateral partnership over the past 60 years. The Iranawila shortwave station, managed by an independent U.S. agency, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), is an example of this partnership. The shortwave station has transmitted Voice of America […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[5845,3239,10,182],"class_list":["post-23519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-iranawila-station","tag-sri-lanka","tag-voa","tag-voice-of-america"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-67l","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":42456,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/sri-lanka-turning-ex-voice-of-america-relay-station-into-covid-19-hospital\/","url_meta":{"origin":23519,"position":0},"title":"“Sri Lanka turning ex-Voice of America relay station into COVID-19 hospital”","author":"Thomas","date":"March 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Economy Next) ECONOMYNEXT \u2013 Sri Lanka will turn the building of a former Voice of America relay station into a COVID-19 hospital, as part of efforts to accommodate an increase in patients, a high level task force that drive Coronavirus control activities in the country said. Sri Lanka has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/VOA-sri-lanka-1024x660.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/VOA-sri-lanka-1024x660.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/VOA-sri-lanka-1024x660.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10809,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/shortwave-radio-recordings-sri-lanka-broadcasting-corporation\/","url_meta":{"origin":23519,"position":1},"title":"Shortwave Radio Recordings: Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation","author":"Thomas","date":"September 14, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"For your listening pleasure: forty three minutes of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation,\u00a0recorded\u00a0on 11,905 kHz at 01:15 UTC, Sept 11, 2014. Sri Lanka BC is not an easy broadcaster to receive in eastern North America, but band conditions on the 10th and 11th were particularly favorable in the higher bands.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sri Lanka as viewed from the International Space Station (Source: NASA)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Sri-Lanka-NASA-1024x505.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Sri-Lanka-NASA-1024x505.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Sri-Lanka-NASA-1024x505.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47091,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/radio-waves-media-network-returns-pack-seeks-lasting-control-airtime-on-ex-dw-relay-station-and-kcrw-berlin-signs-off\/","url_meta":{"origin":23519,"position":2},"title":"Radio Waves: Media Network Returns, Pack Seeks Lasting Control, Airtime on ex-DW relay station, and KCRW Berlin Signs Off","author":"Thomas","date":"December 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/WHKY-AM-Towers-Transmitter-Site.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/WHKY-AM-Towers-Transmitter-Site.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/WHKY-AM-Towers-Transmitter-Site.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/WHKY-AM-Towers-Transmitter-Site.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/WHKY-AM-Towers-Transmitter-Site.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57000,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/radio-waves-sri-lanka-drm-czech-radio-ham-radio-ops-ready-for-disaster-space-pirates-fm-not-far-behind-am-and-am-hearing-live-today\/","url_meta":{"origin":23519,"position":3},"title":"Radio Waves: Sri Lanka DRM, Czech Radio, Ham Radio Ops Ready for Disaster, Space Pirates, FM Not Far Behind AM, and AM Hearing Live Today","author":"Thomas","date":"June 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Dennis Dura, David Iurescia, John Palmer, Gareth Buxton, and Mangosman for the following tips:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":65166,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/a-dxer-looks-back-at-the-voice-of-america\/","url_meta":{"origin":23519,"position":4},"title":"A DXer Looks Back at the Voice of America","author":"Thomas","date":"January 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Dan Greenall 50 years ago, Voice of America broadcasts could be found all over the shortwave dial. 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