(from left to right) Bandula Padmakumara, Shree FM host; Colombo Communications Executive Director Ryan Honter; Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa; Shree FM Managing Director Jeewaka Edirisinghe)

On April 22, E.A.P. Edirisinghe Organisation Managing Director Jeewaka Edirisinghe presented the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) International Broadcasting Excellence Award to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees. The award was given to Shree FM in recognition its outstanding commitment to serving its audience and the public through its community service program, “Shree Sathkaraka Rohala (Shree Mobile Medical Camp).”

Shree FM is owned and operated by the E.A.P. Edirisinghe Organisation through its subsidiary broadcast company, Colombo Communications Ltd. The company initiated the program to provide free medical consultation, checkup and medication to the residents of some of the remote areas in the country.

“We are very grateful that our radio station has been acknowledged as one of this year's recipients,” said Edirisinghe. “This is a huge honor for our organization and most importantly, an honor for the entire nation as it makes us an inspiration to broadcast companies worldwide.”

The NAB International Broadcasting Excellence Award is the highest broadcasting accolade for broadcast organizations worldwide bestowed by NAB to non-U.S. radio and television stations in recognition of their leadership in advancing the broadcast industry and for the services they provide to their community and audiences.

“This award is a testament of our company's steadfast sincerity and perseverance to be the steward of service to our people and to the broadcast industry,” said Ryan Honter, the executive director of Colombo Communications Ltd. “This award transcends all expectations and is cogent evidence that we do not rest on our laurels.”

Honter joined the top leaders of the industry in Las Vegas, Nevada where he personally accepted the award at the International/GMR Reception during the NAB Show.