By: Staff Writer
February 15, Colombo (LNW): The Government’s pledge to provide every citizen with high-speed broadband connectivity by 2029 represents one of the most ambitious pillars of its digital economic strategy. Yet achieving that goal will require far more than headline coverage statistics and annual budget allocations.
At a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation chaired by MP Dr. Janaka Senarathne, officials outlined the scale of the challenge. Senior Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya stated that although national internet coverage stands at approximately 98%, this does not translate into universal access to reliable, high-speed broadband. To meet actual demand particularly for students, businesses and public institutions network capacity must expand by at least 25%.
The infrastructure gap is substantial. While 100 new telecommunication towers are scheduled for installation this year, between 600 and 1,000 additional towers will ultimately be required nationwide. Deployment will occur in phases, with authorities proposing a commercial model that invites private sector participation through competitive bidding.
This approach signals recognition that public finances alone cannot support the scale of investment required. However, tower construction is only one element of a broader ecosystem. Fibre backhaul expansion, spectrum management, regulatory facilitation and power supply stability are equally critical components of a high-speed broadband framework.
The Committee also stressed that digital transformation must extend beyond infrastructure. Digital literacy disparities remain pronounced outside Colombo and other major urban centres. Proposals were made to coordinate structured digital skills programmes through District Secretariat offices to ensure rural inclusion.
The 2026 Budget allocations for the Digital Economy and Science and Technology Ministries were reviewed alongside institutional performance reports, underscoring parliamentary oversight of the strategy’s implementation.
While the roadmap reflects strategic intent, the 2029 deadline leaves limited margin for delay. Timely procurement, inter-agency coordination and investor confidence will determine whether the initiative delivers inclusive connectivity or falls short of expectations. The coming years will test whether infrastructure expansion can effectively underpin the country’s broader digital economic ambitions.
