Kokavil transmission tower

Kokavil transmission tower is a lattice steel structure in northern Sri Lanka designed to distribute television and radio signals across the region. The tower rises prominently on the landscape and serves as both a functional broadcast facility and a visible landmark in the area.

The original tower was built in 1982 with Japanese support but suffered severe damage in 1990. It was later rebuilt and reopened in 2011 to restore broadcast coverage to the northern region.

The tower's reconstruction reconnected northern communities to television and radio broadcasts after decades of isolation. For local people, it represents a return to information access and connection with the wider world.

The tower sits on a hilltop location with good views of the surrounding landscape from nearby areas. Access around the structure may be restricted for safety reasons, so keep your distance and respect any barriers.

The tower's substantial height allows signals to reach across difficult mountainous terrain that would otherwise block shorter broadcast structures. This geographical advantage made it crucial for connecting isolated communities in ways other smaller towers could not achieve.

Location: Kokavil

Inception: 1982

Official opening: June 6, 2011

GPS coordinates: 9.26968,80.40804

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:20