Sri Lanka marked a technological milestone this week as Dialog Axiata PLC and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) rolled out commercial 5G services nationwide. The launch positions the island nation among early adopters of next-generation connectivity in South Asia, with demonstrations at Colombo's One Galle Face Mall showcasing augmented reality applications and sub-10ms latency capabilities.
SLT Group Chairman Mothilal De Silva emphasized the infrastructure's transformative potential: "Our 5G network forms the backbone for emerging technologies like AI-driven solutions and industrial IoT systems that will redefine economic productivity." The state-owned operator currently serves 1.5 million subscribers through 220 active 5G sites.
Dialog Axiata's Group CEO Supun Weerasinghe described the December 2025 deployment as "a quantum leap in digital inclusion," noting the technology's role in enabling smart city initiatives and remote education platforms. Both providers plan phased expansions to ensure 85% population coverage by Q3 2026.
The rollout comes as regional neighbors accelerate digital infrastructure investments, with Sri Lanka's 5G adoption expected to boost foreign tech partnerships and position Colombo as a potential hub for cloud service providers targeting South Asian markets.
