Colombo International Radio Tamil service – Inaugural day transmissions
Frequency – 873khz
Time – 7.00 am to 8.00 am
The 872 kHz frequency represents a fascinating chapter in the story of Tamil broadcasting from Sri Lanka, though the actual frequencies used by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) for their international Tamil service are slightly different. The SLBC operates its mediumwave Tamil international service from the powerful Puttalam transmitting station using frequencies of 873 kHz and 882 kHz, with impressive power outputs of 200-400 kilowatts.
This high-power mediumwave service, known as Colombo Radio International in Tamil, broadcasts during specific time slots designed to reach Tamil-speaking audiences across South India and beyond. The service typically operates from 01:29 to 02:30 UTC, which corresponds to early morning hours in the Indian subcontinent when atmospheric propagation conditions are optimal for mediumwave transmission across the Indian Ocean.
The Puttalam transmitting station, located on the western coast of Sri Lanka, provides an ideal geographical position for reaching Tamil communities in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The powerful 400-kilowatt transmitter ensures that the signal can overcome atmospheric interference and reach listeners hundreds of kilometers away with clear, strong reception.
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