Sri Lanka’s pioneer Adult Contemporary radio station, Lite FM celebrated 11 years on air on February 27, overcoming stiff competition and a tumultuous economic year to retain its top positions in the hearts of advertisers and listeners alike.

The brainchild of Chairman and CEO of TNL Radio Network (Pvt.) Ltd. Niraj Wickremasinghe, what started out as a soft AC music station soon became a phenomenal hit in much the same way the country’s first private radio station 101.7 TNL Rocks did back in the 90’s - only with a different audience altogether thanks to an easy listening feel which has remained constant throughout the past decade.

Initially branded ‘Soft AC’, Lite FM took inspiration from foreign counterparts but kept its music format a balance of easy listening and soft rock although it has over the past few years ventured into Hot AC.

The station’s first airing was made from an ‘old school’ studio in what was simply known ‘the tower’ in Colombo 4 along with sister stations TNL Rocks and Sinhala music station Rhythm FM (then Asura FM). Now located at the plush, new age studios at 5^th LaneColombo 3, Lite FM has much to be thankful for.  

 The unspoken talent of Director Sales Dharaka Abeywickrema and a special 24 hours engineering headed by Uditha Silve and Benildous Perera and Assistant Productions Manager Lakshitha Dewasinghe have played key roles in keeping the station a well-oiled machine in every aspect; from clarity of broadcast to the classy sound that Lite FM is known for.

Lite FM's music format has been delicately moulded, crafted and re-moulded thanks to the expertise of its stalwart Programs 
Manager Warren Nicholas who has seen that the introduction of Country, Hot AC and even some alternative has been a smooth transition and keeping the station ahead of the game while retaining its image.

Eleven years ago today, Sri Lanka got its first taste of Adult Contemporary radio and today, despite all the changes and demands of the industry and listeners, one station has managed to retain its identity and stay true to the brand of ‘Lite’ music. The journey of Lite has brought together good tunes and great people, personalities past and present shaped the station into a solid brand in the fast changing world of Radio.

 
Warren Nicholas heads a team of charismatic radio personalities; Jay hosts the acclaimed morning show the Life Café from 6-9am with humour, intelligent conversation and wit while the Karin’s charm was warmly welcomed back on air after a 5 year hiatus, on Spellbound from 9am-1pm. Neomi hosts the afternoon request show Total Control from 1-5pm while the stations evening drive show the Lite Drive is presented by the unassuming and incredibly fresh humour of Danny from 5-9pm.


Love Songs After Dark is presented every weekday evening with the lovely Jerusha from 9pm -1am while the Flashback Show with Flashback on Demand is hosted by renowned club DJ Wendell and his co-host Keith on Friday evenings from 9pm-1am. Your Weekend’s feature a mix of all of the above mentioned with Keith presenting a specialised 90's Rewind on Saturdays from 9am-1pm. More new shows include Sundown Country every Saturday from 5-6pm presented by Warren who also hosts the Time Machine every Saturday from 6-9pm.

The stations new party music show, Into the Groove is every Saturday evening from 9pm-1am with newcomer
Graeme while the Mirror Top 10 keeps track of the week’s biggest AC hits on Sundays from 9-10am. The Show with No Name, a new comedy of sorts is hosted every Sunday from 10am-2pm by Graeme and Danny and last but not least Lite at Night on Sundays hosted by Jerrad from n9pm-1am.
 

With a line up as dynamic and diverse as this it’s no wonder the station continues to garner a large base of loyal listeners who continue to support the station.