How to watch Sri Lankan TV abroad
A plain guide for Sri Lankans in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Canada and beyond. Covers the free options, the paid ones, and how to get them onto your big TV.
1. Free: official YouTube channels
Hiru TV, TV Derana, Sirasa, Swarnavahini, ITN, Rupavahini and the others all run official YouTube channels. Many stream their broadcast live and post teledrama episodes soon after they air. Each of our channel pages links straight to the official channel and its live stream.
- Good for: teledramas, news bulletins and catching up on shows.
- Limits: not every programme goes on YouTube. Films, cricket and some imported shows are often blocked outside Sri Lanka because of broadcast rights.
- Tip: subscribe and tap the bell on the channels you follow, so new episodes appear in your feed.
2. Free: channel websites and apps
Some stations stream live on their own websites or apps. Hiru TV and Rupavahini both have live pages, and Ada Derana has an app. These are worth a try when YouTube isn't carrying the live feed. Links are on each channel page.
3. Paid: Sri Lankan TV subscription apps
Several services bundle Sri Lankan channels into one app, often with a programme guide and catch-up. Names you'll come across include SLCast, Dialog ViU and PEO TV GO. Some are aimed at viewers in Sri Lanka and may not work, or may need a local account, abroad. Before you pay, check:
- Does it officially support your country?
- Which channels are included, and is cricket included?
- Does it run on your TV device (Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, smart TV)?
- Is there a free trial or a monthly plan, so you're not locked into a year?
Stay away from unofficial “IPTV” boxes and sites that re-stream channels without permission. They break often, can carry malware, and take money away from the stations that make the shows.
4. Getting it on your TV
- Smart TV: open the YouTube app and search for the channel name.
- Fire TV Stick, Chromecast with Google TV or Roku: a cheap way to give an older TV the YouTube app and most subscription apps.
- Casting: start the video on your phone and tap the cast icon to send it to the TV.
- Laptop + HDMI cable: the simple fallback for a website-only stream.
5. Time differences
Sri Lanka is on UTC+5:30, so prime time in Colombo (around 7–10pm) falls in the early afternoon in the UK and overnight in North America. That's why catch-up on YouTube often suits viewers abroad better than live viewing.
6. Stay connected beyond TV
For old Sri Lankan stories, nostalgia and the “those days” memories, try our sister channel Anang Manang Dot Com.