PLACEMENT OF PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000174

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, I/RW, I/REC
SA/INS (FOR JWALLER); SA/PAB SA/RA (FOR SCENSNY)
SA/PD LJIRWIN, WREINCKENS, SHOVANEC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR OIIP ECPS OEXC
SUBJECT: PLACEMENT OF PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS

REF: (A) SECSTATE 21822, (B) COLOMBO 0167


1. As reported in reftel (B),Colombo provided Worldnet
coverage of the State of the Union address to three Sri
Lankan telecasters for use during prime-time on 1/29. ITN
(government-owned, island-wide penetration) and Rupavahini
(government-owned, island-wide penetration),took
extensive clippings from the tapes for use during their
evening English, Sinhala, and Tamil newscasts.
Swarnavahini (independent, Island-wide penetration),which
broadcasts in Sinhala, used the clippings during its
evening newscast.


2. A fourth telecaster, TNL (independent, Island-wide
penetration) took the Worldnet feed from equipment
provided by the Post, for use in its English and Sinhala
newscasts.


3. As noted in reftel (B) the address was also carried
live (at 08:00 local time),via commercial feed, by
DYNAVISION (independent, urban Colombo penetration),ETV
(independent, urban Colombo penetration),and MTV
(independent, Island-wide penetration.


4. As of 1/30, no/no op-ed media reaction to the address
has appeared in the Sri Lankan press.

Wills