ITN should act like catalysts in identifying and harnessing talents By Sunil Thenabadu Today, there is an abundance of television channels in Sri Lanka, some old and some new. Among them, the Independent Television Network (ITN) is the oldest, which, due to state collaboration and its consequent precedence has been called the ‘Mahagedera’ of Television. Each station vies for customer loyalty which is fiercely competitive in providing programs that maximize and sustain viewer interest. Being indigenous, they promote inter alia traditional aesthetic programs. One area where increasing interest is evinced is the ‘performing arts. In developing performing arts TV stations could make prodigious contributions.They can act as catalysts in identifying and harnessing talents. They can, to a large extent provide the much-desired platform for aspiring artists to showcase their talents. In fact, some stations inclusive of the ‘Mahagedera’, in the past have been most successful in identifying talents, nurturing and ...