Internews established the Matara Media House on July 31, 2006. It runs training programs for journalists and community groups, and has a radio studio and production equipment, field recorders, computers, fax, and Internet resources for journalists. Real Voices is the radio program produced by local journalist and CBO trainees in Sinhalese and broadcast through Ruhunu Sevaya every Sunday (107.2 FM and 105.4 FM from 10.00am to 10.45am). It is the most comprehensive radio program dealing with community and social issues and current event available to local audiences. Programs explore local problems, and frequently have a focus on discussing potential solutions to those problems.

Through Internews’ “Cross Productions” Real Voices also shares stories across different locations, languages, and communities. Journalists from the south work together with journalist from the east in both locations so audiences in the south can hear stories from the east, and eastern listeners can hear stories from southern communities. From April 2007 the East Media House contributes with 15 minutes of programming to the Matara Media House to promote a better understanding about issues in the east to people in the south. In a country divided by community and geography, Real Voices tells stories about issues that affect everyone.