The Independent Television Network (ITN) as a responsible state media institution has been able to achieve high sponsorship rating, safeguarding the social values while at the same time telecasting popular and high quality programmes. In the channels of the ITN the year 2006 marks a year of achievement in all divisions. The Independent Television Network and Lakhanda earned a net profit of Rs.64 million (after tax) in the year 2006, stated the Annual Report of ITN and Lakhanda.

The company was able to increase the daily transmission hours of the ITN by 15%. The daily transmission is undertaken for more than 20 hours. Besides, Lakhanda Radio also initiated action to maintain a 24 hour transmission. ITN increased its number of news telecasts; as such 13 news bulletins are now telecast. The ITN has been able to become a channel, telecasting news with a high viewer rating.

During the year 2006, many programmes were telecast and the producers of these programmes earned local and international high calibre recognition. Another landmark was the inclusion of Independent Television Network and Lakhanda Radio to the internet particularly for the benefit of Sri Lankans domiciled abroad.

ITN’s highest achievement during the year 2006 was the winning of the National Business Excellence (merit) Award, awarded by the Sri Lanka National Chamber of Commerce. This is the first occasion that a media institution has been acclaimed with this award. It is also significant to note the felicitation of an institution of the state sector with such award, the report noted.

The income earned by the Marketing Division of the ITN in the year 2006 was Rs.535.5 million. The top sponsors as agents were J. Walter Thompson (Pvt) Ltd., Slender Media (Pvt) Ltd., and Raigam Creations (Pvt) Ltd., respectively. This financial achievement when compared to the Rs.400 million earned in the year 2005 recorded an increase of Rs.135.5 million. The National Lotteries Board, People’s Bank and Unilivers’ Sri Lanka were the main sponsors.

The ITN was able to maintain its market share of 14% during the year 2006 with its goodwill as the pioneer channel in the television field in Sri Lanka. It should be emphasized that this achievement was recorded in the midst of stiff competition from private channels.