By Tyron Devotta
Few Sri Lankan media personalities have championed the cause of depth and context in broadcast journalism quite like Asoka Dias, whose long-running morning show Pathikada was recently recognized with the prestigious Sumathi Award for the Best Educational Television Program.
In an era when social media snippets and short attention spans threaten the very idea of in-depth journalism, Pathikada has stood out by doing the opposite: offering viewers an investigative deep dive into current affairs that impact their daily lives.
Speaking about the unique vision behind Pathikada, Asoka explained,
“The word means dimensions. News isn’t just a headline — it has multiple dimensions: historical, political, economic, and legal. My mission is to unpack those layers for our viewers, so they don’t just know what happened, but also why and how it matters.”
News and Current Affairs: Beyond the Headlines
Unlike conventional news bulletins that stick to reporting what happened, Pathikada belongs to the genre of current affairs — which Asoka describes as “news beyond news”. Every episode focuses on a single topic, often tied directly to a headline or emerging issue, and explores it in a 30-minute format. Guests are always carefully selected experts — economists, lawyers, environmentalists, or policy specialists — who help break down complex ideas.
“Sri Lanka’s Sinhala, Tamil, and English TV audiences often lack the background knowledge to fully grasp the implications of a policy decision or an economic shift,” Asoka pointed out. “A story like the difference between PAYE tax and APIT tax can’t be understood just by quoting percentages. People need to know the historical context and the subtleties to make sense of their daily lives.”
Investigative Spirit with a Balanced Approach
At the core of Pathikada is what Asoka calls “investigative journalism connected to current news.” Whether the topic is taxes, mineral resources, or governance, the approach is to unpack all possible dimensions — often spread across multiple episodes. The now-famous episodes on the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount are a case in point. Located over 1,000 km south of Sri Lanka, this cobalt-rich underwater mountain has become the subject of international interest. Recognizing its geopolitical significance, Asoka convened panels of legal experts, scientists, and geopolitical analysts to explore how Sri Lanka could establish its rights under maritime law.
Objectivity in an Age of Bias
In a media landscape increasingly divided by partisanship and algorithm-driven echo chambers, Pathikada has stayed committed to what Asoka calls “the art of asking the right questions.” He acknowledges that complete neutrality is a myth — every expert has a perspective. But the host’s job is to extract that perspective while helping viewers see the bigger picture.
“My job is to ensure the viewer sees all the dimensions — not just what the guest wants to say. That’s why selecting the right resource person is so important,” he explained.
Legacy Media, Digital Reach
While Pathikada airs every weekday at 6:00 AM on Sirasa TV, it has fully embraced digital platforms to expand its reach. The program is simultaneously broadcast on Facebook and YouTube with separate edits stripped of TV frills — no lengthy greetings or theme music — just the core content. Short, high-impact clips highlighting key points are also extracted and widely shared. During the COVID lockdowns, such segments reached over half a million people within hours, underscoring the public’s appetite for clear, trustworthy information.
A Career of Commitment
Asoka Dias’s career spans nearly four decades across print, electronic, and digital media. As a Director of MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd. and MBC Networks (Pvt) Ltd., which form the Sirasa Media Network, he has played a pivotal role in shaping responsible journalism in Sri Lanka. His involvement with the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) further reflects his dedication to strengthening the region’s media literacy.
His Sumathi Award, presented on 15 July 2025 at the 30th recognition ceremony, celebrated Pathikada’s unique contribution to educating Sri Lankans and championing thoughtful, inclusive dialogue.
Award Citation:
The Sumathi Award for Best Educational Television Program was conferred on Asoka Dias in recognition of the program’s investigative depth, the diversity of expert voices featured, and its consistent effort to deliver a 360-degree view of news and current affairs, exemplified by its series on the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount and other complex national issues.