K.C. Saranga achieves hat-trick at Raigam Tele’es with ‘Science for Life’

At the 22nd edition of the Raigam Tele’es Awards in 2025, K.C. Saranga achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the Best Educational Program of the Year for the third consecutive year. 

The award was presented for the program “Science for Life”, broadcast on Ada Derana News Channel—marking an extraordinary hat-trick achievement in the same category.

Winning a single award is an accomplishment; winning it three years in a row in the same category is a testament to consistency, innovation, and vision. Saranga’s success reflects not only personal excellence but also a transformative approach to educational broadcasting in Sri Lanka.

Rethinking Educational Television

Speaking about his journey, Saranga highlighted a long-standing gap within the local television landscape. While reality shows and entertainment-driven productions in Sri Lanka have reached high standards in both creativity and production quality, educational programming has often lagged behind.

Traditionally, educational content on television has been confined to syllabus-based teaching—delivered through discussions or classroom-style board explanations. However, television, as an audio-visual medium, offers far greater potential.

Saranga and his team set out to challenge this limitation.

Through “Science for Life”, they introduced a dynamic, multimedia-driven approach to education. Complex concepts in science, mathematics, and technology were simplified using a combination of visuals, graphics, animation, music, photography, and engaging presentation styles—collectively referred to as multimedia elements.

This approach ensured that knowledge was not merely delivered but experienced. For instance, rather than explaining theories in abstract terms, the program visually demonstrates phenomena such as how airplanes fly or how cyclones form in the middle of the ocean—transforming complex scientific principles into clear, engaging, and relatable content.

Edutainment: A Global Standard

Globally, educational content has evolved into what is widely known as edutainment and infotainment—a fusion of education and entertainment. International platforms and English-language content across digital and broadcast media have successfully adopted this model, making learning both accessible and enjoyable.

Saranga’s work stands out as a pioneering effort to bring this global standard into the Sinhala language, making high-quality educational content accessible to local audiences in their own language.

The Role of Ada Derana

Although Ada Derana is primarily recognized as a news channel, it has extended its role beyond delivering information. By dedicating significant airtime to educational content, the channel has embraced a broader responsibility—educating, informing, and engaging its audience.

Through initiatives like “Science for Life”, Ada Derana has successfully combined credibility with creativity, ensuring that viewers receive not only reliable information but also meaningful and engaging knowledge experiences.

A Note of Gratitude

Saranga expressed his sincere appreciation to his dedicated team, whose creativity, commitment, and collaborative spirit made this achievement possible. He also extended heartfelt thanks to the management of Ada Derana for continuously fostering an environment that encourages innovation and supports creative freedom—an essential factor behind the program’s sustained success.
About K.C. Saranga

K.C. Saranga is a veteran television journalist and award-winning program producer with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Having earned both local and international recognition, he currently serves as the General Manager – News and Current Affairs at TV Derana, as well as the Head of Ada Derana News Channel. His work reflects a deep commitment to impactful storytelling and meaningful media innovation.

Celebrating Excellence: Raigam Tele’es Awards

The Raigam Tele’es Awards has, for over 22 years, remained one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious platforms for recognizing excellence in television. Sustaining such a high-standard awards ceremony over two decades is no small feat.

By consistently honoring creative talent and outstanding productions, the Raigam Tele’es Awards have played a vital role in elevating Sri Lanka’s television industry—particularly in encouraging growth within the teledrama and program production sectors.

Looking Ahead

Saranga and his team remain committed to pushing the boundaries of educational content, aiming to further strengthen the role of television as a powerful learning platform. Their vision is clear: to make education not only informative but also engaging, relatable, and impactful—ensuring that knowledge reaches audiences in a way that truly resonates.

This hat-trick victory is more than just an award—it is a signal that educational television in Sri Lanka is evolving, and leading that transformation is K.C. Saranga.