Sri Lanka Hosts the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union General Assembly for the First Time in Colombo
The official event banner for the 63rd ABU General Assembly. Image: Newswire.
Colombo is welcoming broadcasters, media leaders, industry experts and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond as Sri Lanka hosts the 63rd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly and Associated Meetings for the first time.
Running from 30 October to 3 November at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, the five-day gathering has brought more than 350 participants to the country. It also marks a first for local broadcasting: the event is being hosted by a private broadcaster, Maharaja Media Network, with support from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
For Sri Lanka, the Assembly offers a prominent opportunity to welcome international media professionals and present the country’s broadcasting sector, culture and heritage to a wide regional audience. The programme brings together professional discussion and cultural exchange, while giving delegates a chance to experience several parts of the island.
A landmark gathering for Sri Lanka
The ABU General Assembly is the organisation’s major annual event, bringing together members to discuss developments and shared challenges across broadcasting and media. Established in 1964 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the ABU represents 225 organisations in 66 countries, with a combined reach covering more than half of the world’s population.
Sri Lanka’s selection as host is significant both for the country and for the local media industry. It is the first time the Assembly has been held in Sri Lanka, and the first occasion on which a private broadcaster has hosted it. The event is hosted by Maharaja Media Network, with support from Sri Lankan government institutions, including those responsible for foreign affairs and tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and other state agencies.
Maharaja Media Network Group Director Chevaan Daniel described the Assembly as an opportunity to introduce Sri Lanka to international participants, saying: ‘We are delighted to take Sri Lanka to the world as the host broadcaster for the 63rd ABU General Assembly. A gathering of industry leaders of the world’s largest media union is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase beautiful Sri Lanka.’
ABU Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem also welcomed Sri Lanka’s role as host, describing the General Assembly as the organisation’s major annual event. The gathering’s international scope makes Colombo a meeting point for broadcasters and media professionals whose work reaches audiences across diverse countries and communities.
An AI-generated illustration of an international media conference in Colombo.
Conversations on media, trust and technology
This year’s Assembly is held under the theme “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust and Transformation.” Discussions are focused on emerging broadcasting trends, media resilience, artificial intelligence, public service media and regional cooperation, subjects that are reshaping how information is produced, distributed and understood.
The theme reflects the responsibilities facing media organisations as technologies and audience habits change. The spread of digital platforms has widened access to information, while also making reliable reporting and public trust central concerns for broadcasters. By bringing professionals together to exchange experience, the Assembly creates a setting for considering how innovation can serve audiences and strengthen media services across the region.
At the gathering on 1 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, addressed the media’s role in an era of rapid technological advancement. He emphasised the responsibility of media organisations to combat misinformation, uphold truth and strengthen public trust.
The Minister also highlighted Sri Lanka’s diverse society and the contribution responsible media can make by encouraging dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among communities. As Newswire reported, he said: “Peace cannot be sustained by diplomacy alone.” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar were also present at the event.
The remarks formed part of the Assembly’s broader focus on media’s relationship with society: the importance of accurate information, constructive public understanding and communication that brings communities together.
Music and culture on the programme
Alongside its professional sessions, the Assembly includes a cultural programme designed to introduce participants to Sri Lanka and the wider region. The 15th ABU Song Festival is scheduled for 2 November at Stein Studios in Ratmalana, featuring performers from 10 Asia-Pacific nations.
The festival adds a live performance dimension to a programme otherwise centred on media exchange and industry discussion. Bringing artists from across the region to a Sri Lankan venue offers an opportunity to celebrate musical diversity and make cultural connections beyond the conference setting.
An AI-generated illustration inspired by the international music programme.
Delegates are also expected to visit Galle and Bentota as part of efforts to showcase Sri Lanka’s tourism, culture and heritage. These visits extend the event beyond Colombo, linking the Assembly’s international programme with destinations that reflect the country’s coastal character and historical depth.
An AI-generated illustration of delegates exploring Sri Lanka’s heritage.
A welcome with international reach
Hosting the ABU General Assembly places Sri Lanka at the centre of a significant regional media gathering. For Maharaja Media Network, the event represents a substantial hosting responsibility and an opportunity to welcome colleagues from across the broadcasting community. For participants, Colombo provides a setting for professional exchange, cultural discovery and regional connections.
The event’s importance also lies in the conversations it brings together. Broadcasters are considering how to maintain public trust, respond to technological change and build resilient media services, while the programme introduces international guests to Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural heritage.
As the Assembly continues through 3 November, its mix of industry dialogue, music and delegate visits offers a distinctive opportunity to present Sri Lanka to a broad international audience. The first-time hosting achievement is a notable milestone for the country’s media sector, and a welcoming showcase for readers in Sri Lanka and abroad who follow the nation’s broadcasting, cultural events and international connections.
Source: Newswire. Sri Lanka hosts Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union General Assembly for first time
Additional source: Newswire. Media must bring communities together, not divide them: Vijitha Herath
This article was written based on the sources https://www.newswire.lk/2026/11/01/sri-lanka-hosts-asia-pacific-broadcasting-union-general-assembly-for-first-time/ and https://www.newswire.lk/2026/11/01/media-must-bring-communities-together-not-divide-them-vijitha-herath/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
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