The GOLD FM News website and the Hiru FM News website have been honoured as the years best news website during the e-Swabhimani Awards which is an initiative of the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka aimed at recognizing excellence in digital content creation.

Meanwhile Hiru FM was also honoured with the e-Swabhimani Award for e-Entertainment & Games.

This was the first time in history that a radio station has been honoured with this Award.

The e-Swabhimani Awards Ceremony was conducted last evening in Colombo in a gala event with awards being presented in 9 categories.

Asia Broadcasting Corporation which operates news websites in all 3 main languages through GOLD FM which is Sri Lanka's number 1 radio station and its sister stations has received widespread acclaim amongst the public.

The GOLD FM News website and the Hiru FM website continually works towards providing the latest local and international news and information.

In addition to politics, international, business, entertainment and sports news, behind the scenes information on politics and video of matters of interest and the main news bulletins that are broadcast on a daily basis on both GOLD FM and Hiru FM can be viewed and listened to through the news website.

The Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and the President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga also participated in this Awards ceremony which was held last night.

Meanwhile according to ICTA, the e-Swabhimani Award process is being conducted along the lines of the World Summit Award and has input from the Digital Empowerment Foundation in India as the Knowledge Partner to ensure that the jury process conforms to international standards.

According to ICTA the award is a stepping stone to other regional and international awards with all short listed submissions being nominated to the Manthan Award South Asia.

Furthermore the e-Swabhimani 2011 is of special significance as it will be the precursor for selection of the Country’s best in digital content and application for submission to the World Summit Award 2013.