Channel Eye is Sri Lanka’s national television channel operated by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), the state-owned public broadcaster. It was launched in 1999 as Rupavahini 2 and rebranded as Channel Eye in 2000. From the beginning, the channel has focused on three core values: Education, Youth, and Entertainment.
Channel Eye holds a unique position in Sri Lanka’s media landscape as the official broadcaster of major international sports events, including multiple Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and Rugby World Cups. This role gives the channel strong institutional importance, even though its regular audience share was about 6% in 2019.
The channel’s programming mainly includes sports coverage, English-language news, youth-oriented music and entertainment shows, and educational documentaries. Alongside local productions, Channel Eye also airs documentary content from international partners such as the BBC and Canal France Internationale to support public education.
Technically, Channel Eye still relies largely on analog broadcasting, reaching over 95% of the population through terrestrial transmission, cable, satellite, and online streaming. Despite its public service role, the channel faces ongoing challenges, including financial losses, outdated equipment, and delays in moving to digital broadcasting.