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Dialog Launches Sri Lanka’s Largest 5G Network, Connecting Over 1.5 Million Subscribers

Published

9 months ago

2025/12/19

Left to right: NOVA, the Humanoid Robot Powered by Dialog 5G Ultra and Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC

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.

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Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak as haze from Indonesia worsens

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

This aerial photo taken from a commercial plane shows haze from Indonesian forest fires blanketing a residential district in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak state on the island of Borneo, on September 5, 2026 (Aljazeera)

Malaysia has declared a state of emergency in a district in Sarawak state after haze caused by wildfires in neighbouring Indonesia increased air pollution to “hazardous” levels.

King Sultan Ibrahim “has consented to the declaration of emergency throughout Serian Division, Sarawak, following haze conditions that have reached air pollution levels hazardous to public health and safety”, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office said in a statement on Thursday.

The declaration followed a formal request from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee after the region’s Air Pollutant Index reached levels warranting consideration of a local emergency.

Under the order, 647 schools in Serian will close from Monday until at least the end of next week, alongside government and private offices, plantations, construction sites and quarries, with only essential services continuing to operate.

The state’s disaster management authorities said a three-day cloud-seeding operation launched on Thursday would be extended to at least Monday, citing forecasts of “more conducive cloud formations” during that period.

Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee chairman Douglas Uggah Embas, speaking at a news conference in Kuching, stressed that the emergency applied only to Serian, not the entire state, but urged residents there to take the situation seriously.

“Please minimise outdoor activities and avoid strenuous activities outdoors,” he said.

Sarawak, in the northern part of Borneo island, has been heavily affected by haze for weeks, as have the neighbouring states of Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

(Aljazeera)

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon

News

Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation

Published

13 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Namal Rajapaksa being brought to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until September 18 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus aircraft transaction.

Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC at around 9.15 am yesterday to record a statement after being summoned over the transaction. He was taken into custody following several hours of questioning and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, in connection with an alleged USD 2 million bribe.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, had previously been named in connection with the alleged bribery.

Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 as part of an investigation launched by the CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act and was subsequently released on bail. He was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, with police suspecting that his death was a suicide.

Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, who is named as the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect, in the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Airbus transaction.

The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August. The delegation provided statements and other assistance to the CIABOC as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Rajapaksa’s arrest and remand yesterday mark a further development in the widening investigation into the controversial aircraft deal.