Using Folk Media for Family Planning, Health & Agriculture Communications - Sri Lanka

Many issues are confronted through radio programmes, for example social crimes, suicides, rapes. These means are effective for listeners with a low level of reading ability or education. The folk media that were used were the thovil and the kavikolaya rituals. Tovil is a traditional devil-exorcism ritual performed mainly in the southern part of the island. IN the course of the ritual, there is cross-talk between the exorcists and the accompanying drummer. Since this cross-talk is oral is lends well to radio adaptation. The cross-talk results in the exorcism of some "demon" which allows for flexibility with contemporary social evils such as malaria, diarrhea, alcoholism and many others.

Many social and health issues

Folk media in Sri Lanka is an appropriate media for conveying these issues and maintaining social control, and addressing social issues not covered through the local mainstream media. Folk media used in these ways can also be used to help preserve and assist cultural development.