This project was funded by UNESCO and became the very first multipurpose Telecentre in the world in 1999. Internet was provided through a line of sight using micro wave. The total capacity of the connectivity at the time had been 2Mbps.
The Kothmale Internet Community Radio Project in Sri Lanka demonstrates that this a particularly interesting approach in rural areas. This pilot project, which aims at assessing the potential benefits of new communication technologies to remote areas, is being implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and the Media, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and the University of Colombo.
The project uses community radio as an interface between the Internet and rural communities. While UNESCO provided computer equipment and training the Government of Sri Lanka through its Telecommunication Regulatory Commission provided the Internet connectivity to the community radio through a dedicated 64KB line
Launching of a Telecentre by Prof. V. K. Samaranayake with Sarvodaya Leader Dr. A.T. Ariyarathne
( The very first Telecentre in Sri Lanka was launched by Sarvodaya in 1996 at Kahawatte Rathnapura under the guidance of the late Prof. V.K. Samaranayake )
