Sri Lanka sets 2029 target for universal high-speed broadband
Daily FT: Officials of the Digital Economy Ministry outlined plans to provide every citizen with high-speed broadband connectivity by 2029, highlighting a significant infrastructure gap that must be addressed over the next four years.
The timeline was presented at a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Janaka Senarathne to review the 2026 Budget allocations for the Digital Economy and Science and Technology Ministries.
Senior Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya told the Committee that 100 new telecommunication towers are scheduled to be installed this year. However, he said between 600 and 1,000 additional towers would be required nationwide to meet the full demand for high-speed broadband, with implementation to take place in phases.
Although current internet coverage stands at approximately 98%, officials noted that this does not equate to high-speed broadband access. Capacity would need to be expanded by around 25% to ensure universal high-speed connectivity, including access for schoolchildren.
Dr. Wijayasuriya also said a commercial model would be developed for tower deployment, with opportunities for private sector participation through a bidding process.
The Committee further underscored the need to strengthen digital literacy outside Colombo, proposing that programmes be coordinated through District Secretariat offices.
Discussions also covered the allocation of 2026 Budget provisions for the Ministry of Science and Technology, with several institutional annual and performance reports approved at the meeting.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic activities and overall economic expansion have resulted in the expansion of the country’s digital industry as well. With Sri Lanka poised as an emerging business destination in the South Asian region targeting on becoming a regional hub, the country is in need of expanding its digital industry to meet the increasing demand and be on par with the fast-evolving global digital industry. The Sri Lankan government is also focused on transforming the country into an e-economy and has launched an aggressive digitization drive covering all sectors of the country. All these developments indicate a steady expansion in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors as well as an expansion in business/investment opportunities in the industry. The increasing interest among foreign businesses/investors to explore opportunities in the country’s digital industry and the growth and profits of businesses already engaged in the industry all indicate the increasing business potential in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors. Local businesses engaged in the digital industry have also attracted foreign businesses for partnerships indicating the potential for expanding operations through partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260217/Z_3 |