News
Dialog Launches Sri Lanka’s Largest 5G Network, Connecting Over 1.5 Million Subscribers
- Over 1.5 million Dialog subscribers already connected to the largest 5G network in Sri Lanka
- First operator to commercially enable 5G in Sri Lanka, powered by 220 live sites connected across the country, underscoring leadership in next-generation connectivity
- Only operator to secure 27 GHz spectrum, enabling gigabit speeds and advanced enterprise solutions, alongside 3500 MHz spectrum to support nationwide 5G coverage
- Plans to invest USD 100 million towards expanding 5G connectivity across Sri Lanka over the next two years
- Dialog offers the widest 5G roaming network, collaborating with 155 global partners across 76 countries, enabling high-speed 5G connectivity for inbound tourists and Sri Lankans travelling overseas
In a significant step towards advancing Sri Lanka, Dialog Axiata PLC announced the commercial launch of Dialog 5G Ultra, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital evolution and its transition into the 5G era. Dialog’s 5G network is powered by over 220 live 5G sites serving over 1.5 million subscribers and leads the country as the first to commercially enable 5G in Sri Lanka—underscoring its leadership in advancing next-generation connectivity nationwide.
The commercial launch follows Dialog securing a 100 MHz block in the 3500 MHz band and a 200 MHz block in the 27 GHz band at the 5G spectrum auction conducted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).

Left to right: Ranga Kariyawasam, Group Chief Technology Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; NOVA, the Humanoid Robot Powered by Dialog 5G Ultra; Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC; Munesh David, Group Chief Commercial Officer & Acting Group Chief Financial Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC
Dialog 5G Ultra delivers advanced 5G connectivity with ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and enhanced network performance, laying the foundation for richer digital experiences for consumers in Sri Lanka, alongside advanced capabilities across enterprises and industries. By leveraging both 3500 MHz spectrum for wide-area mobile coverage and 27 GHz spectrum for high-capacity, gigabit-speed use cases, Dialog is uniquely positioned to support future-ready consumer and enterprise applications.
Commenting on the launch, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC, said, “The launch of Dialog 5G Ultra represents a defining step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure for the future. Beyond faster connectivity, 5G is a critical enabler of innovation, productivity, and inclusion across the digital economy. As Sri Lanka’s largest 5G network, we are committed to investing USD 100 million over the next two years to expand 5G connectivity across the country and ensure that individuals, businesses, and industries can fully participate in a digital Sri Lanka. We are thankful to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and the Government of Sri Lanka for conducting a transparent auction process to allocate 5G spectrum.”
Dialog’s 5G journey builds on a strong legacy of innovation — from being the first to introduce 2G,3G and 4G in South Asia, to pioneering early 5G demonstrations, and operating the country’s most extensive 5G trial network over several years. The commercial launch of Dialog 5G Ultra now brings these advancements into widespread use, embedding high-performance connectivity into everyday life and business.
To mark the launch, Dialog has introduced a range of 5G-related offers across devices, data plans and content, enabling customers to experience the full potential of 5G across mobile and entertainment. For more information, please visit www.dialog.lk
Dialog also offers the widest 5G roaming network from Sri Lanka, supporting 5G connectivity across 76 countries through partnerships with 155 global mobile operators. This enables Dialog customers with 5G-compatible devices to enjoy seamless, high-speed connectivity while travelling overseas, reinforcing Dialog’s leadership in delivering a world-class mobile experience for both Sri Lankans abroad and inbound visitors to the country.
As a pioneer in introducing future technologies to Sri Lanka, Dialog remains committed to advancing national digital transformation and delivering world-class connectivity experiences that enrich lives, empower enterprises, and support the country’s long-term development.
Latest News
GovPay Concludes 2025 with Rs. 2 Billion in digital transactions, marking a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation
GovPay, Sri Lanka’s Government Digital Payment Platform concluded the year 2025 by surpassing Rs. 2 billion in total digital transaction value, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey. Notably, GovPay doubled its collections from Rs. 1 billion to Rs. 2 billion in just 45 days, reflecting rapid adoption, growing public trust, and strong institutional uptake across the public sector.
Since its official launch on 07 February 2025, GovPay has processed over 69,000 digital transactions, enabling payments for 3,372 government services across 215 government institutions. This accelerated growth underscores the increasing reliance on secure, convenient, and transparent digital payment mechanisms by both citizens and government institutions.
Implemented under the strategic leadership of the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in collaboration with LankaPay, GovPay has emerged as a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s national digital public infrastructure. The platform plays a critical role in advancing financial inclusion, improving service efficiency, and strengthening transparency in public service delivery.
A key milestone in 2025 was the launch of the Online Traffic Fine Payment System through GovPay on 10 April 2025. Since its introduction, the system has facilitated over 50,000 digital traffic fine payments, generating more than Rs. 66 million in revenue. The service is currently operational across the Western, Southern, Northern, North Western, and North Central Provinces, including the Southern, Katunayake, and Central Expressways. While the island wide rollout planned for December 2025 was postponed due to adverse weather conditions and disaster-related challenges, ICTA, in coordination with the Sri Lanka Police and with the support of LankaPay, has agreed to complete the nationwide rollout in January 2026, with a landmark launch in the Central Province.
GovPay has continued to expand its reach across local authorities, including Divisional Secretariats, Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas, significantly enhancing access to government services in citizens’ day-to-day activities. The platform has enabled digital transactions for all local authorities in the Northern Province and all Divisional Secretariats in the Southern Province, with a national target to digitize all local authorities by 2026.
Institutions such as Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka Police, the Department of Technical Education and Training, the University of Moratuwa, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board emerged as some of the highest contributors to GovPay in 2025. Strong adoption by the education sector in particular highlights the readiness of younger generations to embrace digital transformation and demonstrates the platform’s scalability and reliability.
Beyond routine government services, GovPay also supported national disaster response efforts. Since 30 November 2025, the platform facilitated digital donations to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund, collecting almost Rs. 14 million across 909 transactions, including contributions from Sri Lankans living abroad, ensuring transparency and ease of contribution during a national emergency.
As GovPay continues to grow, ICTA is working on revamping www.govpay.lk with enhanced features to support institutional onboarding, service management, and reporting capabilities. With Rs. 2 billion in digital collections achieved within its first year of operation and the last Rs. 1 billion reached in just 45 days, GovPay stands as a strong testament to the impact of coordinated digital transformation, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s vision of achieving a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030.
News
Swift restoration of Religious, Cultural and Archaeological sites damaged by the disaster
A discussion on the restoration of religious, cultural and archaeological sites affected by Cyclone Ditwah was held on Thursday (18) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, with the participation of the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theras of the three Chapters and other religious leaders.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister stated that more than one thousand religious, cultural and archaeological sites across the country had sustained damage due to the disaster. He assured that prompt measures would be taken to commence restoration work and reinstate these sites to their original condition without delay.
The Minister further stated that all restoration work is expected to be carried out while preserving the historical and cultural authenticity of the sites, under the guidance of the Most Venerable Maha Sangha and other religious leaders, with the active participation of all relevant stakeholders.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Prince Senadheera, noted that arrangements are currently underway to mobilize the required human resources and financial assistance for the restoration process. He also stated that steps have been initiated to recruit the necessary technical officers on a contractual basis to conduct technical assessments of the affected sites. In addition, plans are in place to involve officials of the Ministry as well as officers of its affiliated institutions in carrying out these restoration activities.
The Secretary to the Ministry further stated that generous financial contributions from donors are currently being received to the fund established under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for the reconstruction of damaged religious places of worship.
The meeting also considered continuing the gathering as an interfaith committee to oversee the restoration activities. Accordingly, it was agreed that the progress of construction work would be regularly reported to the committee and that the committee would be entrusted with mobilizing support for the fund in a transparent manner, including assistance from foreign donors, international organizations, Buddhist organizations and other religious institutions.
It was noted that the Central Cultural Fund has identified eight sites that were severely damaged by the disaster and are difficult to restore through conventional construction methods, requiring the specialized expertise of archaeologists, mural conservation specialists, and architects. The cost of restoring these sites has been estimated at over Rs. 500 million.
It was further decided that the committee would meet once a month to review and discuss the progress of these restoration activities.
Religious leaders commended the Government’s intervention in providing relief to those affected by the disaster and in restoring livelihoods, expressing appreciation for the effective management of the response. They also praised the Government’s prompt action in initiating restoration work at damaged religious sites.
The event was attended by several eminent religious leaders, including the Registrar of the Asgiri Maha Viharaya, Venerable Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thero; the Registrar General of the Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Maha Nikaya, Venerable Balapitiye Siri Seevali Nayaka Thero; the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Venerable Attangane Sasanarathana Nayaka Thero; the Chief Secretary of the All-Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Board, Venerable Professor Mugunuwela Anuruddha Nayaka Thero; and the Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha, led by the Chairman of the National Bhikkhu Front, Venerable Wakamulle Uditha Thero.
Also in attendance were Hindu religious leaders, including Venerable Swami Aksharatmananda, representatives of the Catholic Church and the National Christian Council, including Father Alec Roy Samantha Fernando, All-Ceylon Muslim religious leaders, including the General Secretary of the Jamiatul Ulama Organization, Ash-Sheikh Arkam Nooramith, Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mohamed Muneer , as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and relevant line institutions.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya until 08:00 AM on Saturday [20th].
LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Minipe, Ududumbara, Doluwa and Medadumbara in the Kandy district, and Mathurata, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Lunugala, Passara and Hali_Ela in the Badulla district, Akurana, Pathadumbara, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Pasbage Korale, Harispattuwa, Thumpane, Panvila, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Yatinuwara, Poojapitiya, Kundasale, Deltota, Pathahewaheta and Hatharaliyadda in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Laggala Pallegama, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta, Ambanganga Korale, Naula, Rattota, Pallepola, Ukuwela and Matale in the Matale district, and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Bandarawela, Uva Paranagama, Haldummulla, Kandeketiya, Soranathota, Ella, Welimada, Haputhale and Meegahakivula in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Polgahawela, Mallawapitiya and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Thalawakele, Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district.
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