On May 5, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation’s (SLRC) 8 p.m. news broadcast commenced with veteran newscasters Chaminda Gunaratne and Nishadi Bandaranaike delivering the day’s updates in their characteristic style. However, news reports the following day claimed that the news broadcast was presented using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
Accordingly, the SLRC has now introduced a groundbreaking experience in AI technology, marking a significant advancement in Sri Lankan electronic media. The recent technological revolution initiated by the SLRC has already garnered exceptionally warm and positive responses.
News Producer Gamini Bandara Manikdiwela highlighted the significance of incorporating the Sinhalese language in AI, noting that Sri Lanka is not typically recognised for using such technology. He emphasised the challenge, as any errors in the Sinhalese broadcast would be promptly noticeable to the audience.
From left: Chairman, Rupavahini Corporation, Dr. Prasad Samarasinghe, Director, Programs, Rupavahini Corporation, Indika Marasinghe and Program Producer Bandara Manikdiwela.
According to Manikdiwela, the SLRC had previously used an AI application for a program which was the first program using AI technology for video, image and audio generation in Sri Lanka. “We used AI to present the Avurudu Nakath. Since it is something deeply rooted in our culture, a simple mistake would have been a major blunder. However, we were successful in our endeavour,” he said.
Manikdiwela said that the AI-powered news broadcast marked a pioneering achievement not just for Sri Lanka, but for the global media landscape. He said that while AI had been employed in news broadcasting previously, this was the first instance of regular news anchors being recreated using AI for this purpose anywhere in the world.
Crucial aspect
“The most crucial aspect here is the use of Sinhala language for AI technology, marking the first instance where we have developed two AI communicators based on the characteristics of our main human communicators. We employed Image AI Generation, Video AI Generation, and Audio AI Generation techniques for this purpose,” he explained.
The News Producer said that to produce this AI news broadcast he used the knowledge gathered on AI during a scholarship program he attended in Dubai in 2023 after winning an award at the Eminas Awards that year. Manikdiwela expressed his gratitude towards SLRC Chairperson Dr. Prasad Samarasinghe and News Director Indika Marasinghe for granting him that invaluable opportunity.
Commenting on this special feat, Marasinghe said initially the SLRC was not able to use AI as the relevant Sinhala language software was unavailable. However, following the first AI technology-based program, Marasinghe said the SLRC Chairperson encouraged them to attempt a news broadcast using the technology. “Despite the complexity and costs involved, we are thrilled that our efforts have borne fruit. There is a prevailing notion that State media lags behind in technology compared to private media, but we have demonstrated that with dedication and updating ourselves, we can overcome any challenge,” he said.
Marasinghe said: “Following the program, university lecturers and even students have made inquiries about how we did it. We have paved a new path for the new generation to explore.”
In an interview with the Sunday Observer, veteran newscaster Chaminda Gunaratne said that after he posted a selfie with his AI doppelganger, some raised concerns about whether it would undermine trust in news and the credibility of the newscaster’s image. Gunaratne acknowledged, “I understood that some may be hesitant to embrace new technology.”
“I was delighted to be the first newscaster to be recreated using AI. However, I also experienced a sense of personal loss and apprehension about the potential negative impacts of technology, especially AI,” he expressed.
According to Nishadi Bandaranaike, she was initially shocked to see her image recreated using AI delivering the news seamlessly. “I am pleased that the SLRC was able to create the first fully AI newscasters in Sri Lanka,” she said.
SLRC Chairperson Dr. Prasad Samarasinghe said the organisation hopes that other channels will also join the SLRC in its journey to use AI in their telecasts.
““We are receiving more responses than we expected. Therefore, we consider it our responsibility to impart knowledge of this technology to the new generation. Consequently, we are prioritising allocating airtime to share insights into AI technology. Accordingly, I hope to commence such programs very soon. I also invite other channels to collaborate with us. Ultimately, it is crucial to focus on the end result,” he said.
He said Rupavahini’s AI quest also aligns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s plans to use AI for the country’s development and youth uplift. AI software made in Sri Lanka by tech-savvy youth in the IT industry could be a major source of foreign exchange, he said. He said that AI technologies should be used carefully, as there could be attempts to deploy it for nefarious activities as well.
“But there is no doubt that AI is the future, along with associated issues such as Machine Learning (ML), Robotics and Automation. It must be used for the betterment of humankind.”
Translated by Maneshka Borham
Pix : Nissanka Wijeratne
