When Dialog Axiata PLC unveiled a new 5G expansion partnership with Ericsson, the announcement sounded like another milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital journey. Yet behind the promise of faster internet lies a more complex question: who really benefits from the island’s 5G race?

The agreement, revealed at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, will see Ericsson deploy advanced radio networks, artificial-intelligence-driven automation, and cloud-native infrastructure across Dialog’s network.

The telecom giant already claims leadership in Sri Lanka’s 5G market, connecting more than 1.5 million users through the country’s largest next-generation network. With access to the valuable 3.5 GHz spectrum band, Dialog can deliver both wide coverage and ultra-high capacity a technical advantage that rivals currently lack.

But the scale of Sri Lanka’s telecom market suggests a different perspective. With over 30 million mobile connections nationwide and data consumption rising sharply each year, 1.5 million 5G subscribers still represent a relatively small fraction of the total user base.

In other words, the 5G revolution remains largely aspirational for many consumers.

The new network rollout will introduce technologies such as Massive MIMO antennas and real-time AI network management. These systems promise faster speeds and more efficient data traffic handling, enabling advanced services ranging from high-definition video streaming to industrial automation.

However telecom analysts argue that the biggest economic benefits may emerge outside traditional smartphone use. Businessesrather than individual consumers are likely to be the primary beneficiaries.

Industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and financial services increasingly rely on ultra-low latency connectivity. With the new Ericsson infrastructure, enterprises could deploy smart factories, remote medical monitoring, and Internet-of-Things networks that require constant high-speed data exchange.

For ordinary mobile users, the immediate gains might be less dramatic. Many consumers still face high smartphone costs and limited access to compatible devices capable of fully utilising 5G speeds.

Another challenge lies in infrastructure economics. Building nationwide 5G networks is expensive, requiring dense radio installations, fibre connectivity, and continuous software upgrades. Telecom operators typically recover these investments through higher data consumption or new digital services.

That reality raises concerns about future pricing structures. If 5G services remain premium offerings, the digital divide between urban and rural users could widen.

Still, the partnership reflects a long-term bet on Sri Lanka’s digital future. According to industry projections, mobile data traffic in the country could triple within the next five years as video streaming, cloud services, and AI-powered applications become more common.

By strengthening its infrastructure early, Dialog appears to be positioning itself at the centre of that transformation.

Whether the strategy ultimately empowers everyday smartphone users or primarily fuels corporate innovation will depend on how quickly 5G devices become affordable and how widely the new network reaches beyond the country’s urban hubs.

As tensions escalate across the Middle East, the Sri Lankan Government is scrambling to protect the country’s energy security by seeking alternative oil suppliers and expanding domestic storage capacity. Officials say the dual strategy is intended to cushion the island nation from potential global supply disruptions triggered by the unfolding Gulf crisis.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed this week that authorities are examining short-term procurement options from non-traditional suppliers, including Africa and the United States. The move signals a shift from Sri Lanka’s usual fuel sourcing pattern, which primarily relies on suppliers from India, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.

The urgency stems from growing instability in the Gulf region an area that accounts for a major share of global crude oil exports. While Sri Lanka does not depend exclusively on Gulf oil, disruptions in the region could send shockwaves through international markets, pushing prices higher and tightening supply chains worldwide.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa acknowledged that the evolving geopolitical landscape makes predicting fuel prices particularly difficult. According to him, Sri Lanka’s reliance on term tenders for petroleum purchases provides some degree of stability compared with spot market buying, which is more vulnerable to sudden price spikes.

However, analysts warn that even term contracts cannot fully shield the country from global volatility. If Gulf tensions escalate further, benchmark crude prices could surge, raising import costs and placing additional strain on Sri Lanka’s fragile economic recovery.

The government says it is closely monitoring international energy markets before making any decision on fuel price adjustments. Authorities also claim that minimizing the impact on the cost of living remains a priority, though the extent to which prices can be insulated from global trends remains uncertain.

In parallel with diversifying supply sources, the government has launched a three-year infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s petroleum storage network. The plan allocates Rs. 46.7 billion between 2025 and 2028 to build new oil tanks, refurbish aging facilities and upgrade fuel transportation systems.

Officials argue that expanding storage capacity will allow Sri Lanka to maintain larger reserves, giving policymakers more time to respond to external shocks. This strategy is particularly relevant for a country that imports nearly all of its fuel requirements.

Energy sector observers note that Sri Lanka has historically operated with relatively limited fuel reserves compared with many other import-dependent economies. That vulnerability became evident during past economic crises when supply shortages quickly translated into long fuel queues and power cuts.

By combining supplier diversification with expanded storage infrastructure, the government hopes to create a buffer against future disruptions. However critics say the real test will come if the Gulf crisis deepens and global energy markets experience prolonged instability.

For Sri Lanka, the challenge is not simply securing oil shipments but ensuring that geopolitical turbulence thousands of miles away does not once again translate into economic hardship at home.

Defence Deputy Minister Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara told Parliament that the next few weeks will be a crucial period for Sri Lanka due to the ongoing military situation in the Middle East.

Addressing the House yesterday (6) during the opening speech of the debate on extending the State of Emergency under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance, the Deputy Minister said the Government decided to continue the emergency regulations in order to ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential services.

He noted that restrictions on shipping and air travel resulting from the regional military crisis could lead to delays in the supply of certain essential services in the coming weeks.

“The current war situation has led to unavoidable restrictions on shipping and air travel. Restrictions have been imposed, and restrictions have had to be imposed,” Jayasekara said.

He explained that due to these limitations, there may be delays in the delivery of essential services that the country depends on.

“The next few weeks are crucial. Accordingly, we must pay special attention to these essential services. Thereby, we have taken steps to continue our State of Emergency,” he added.

The Deputy Minister said the extension of the State of Emergency is intended to allow the Government to manage potential disruptions and ensure that essential services continue to be provided without interruption.

Pakistan has increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs. 55 per litre (around LKR 71) amid rising global oil prices and escalating tensions in the Gulf region.

According to Pakistani media reports, the government approved the price hike following a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and attended by senior cabinet ministers.

Under the revised pricing, the retail price of petrol has been set at Rs. 321 per litre (around LKR 414), while high-speed diesel will cost Rs. 335 per litre (around LKR 432).

Officials said the increase was necessary due to rising international oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the region, which have affected import costs and fuel supply chains.

The new fuel prices will take effect from midnight and will remain in force for the next seven days.

Average sugar consumption in Sri Lanka is more than three times higher than the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), raising serious concerns about oral health, according to Consultant Dental Surgeon Dr. Chandana Gajanayake.

Speaking at a media briefing, Dr. Gajanayake said an average person in the country consumes about 34 kilograms of sugar per year, compared with the WHO’s recommended limit of 10 kilograms annually.

“The WHO recommends that a healthy person should consume about 10 kilograms of sugar per year, but an average person here consumes around 34 kilograms annually,” he said.

He warned that excessive sugar intake significantly contributes to dental diseases, including gum disease.

“If we look at gum disease among adults, the percentage is about 50%. That means one out of every two adults suffers from gum disease,” Dr. Gajanayake noted.

The remarks were made in connection with the fifth National Oral Health Survey, which is scheduled to begin on March 10 and continue until November.

The previous national oral health survey was conducted in 2015–2016, while the WHO recommends that such surveys be carried out every 10 years to evaluate oral health conditions in a country.

According to the last survey, around 30% of 12-year-old children had tooth decay, a significant improvement from nearly 70% recorded during the first national oral health survey conducted in 1982–1983.

The upcoming survey will also examine children aged five years and below, as earlier studies found that about 63% of children in that age group suffered from tooth decay.

Dr. Gajanayake added that more than 75% of people currently use fluoride toothpaste, which he described as a positive trend for dental health.

However, he cautioned that the rise in toothpaste prices during the recent economic crisis has led to the re-emergence of tooth powder products in the market.

“Tooth powder is harmful because its rough texture can damage teeth,” he warned.

The United States is pressing Sri Lanka’s government not to repatriate the survivors from the Iranian warship it sank this week, as well as the crew of a second Iranian ship that is in Sri Lankan custody, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Friday.A U.S. submarine sank the IRIS Dena warship in the Indian Ocean about 19 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern port city of Galle on Wednesday, killing dozens of sailors and dramatically widening Washington’s pursuit of the Iranian navy.

On Thursday, Sri Lanka began offloading 208 crew members from a second Iranian ship, the naval auxiliary vessel IRIS Booshehr, which had found itself stranded in Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone ⁠but outside its maritime boundary.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said his island nation had a “humanitarian responsibility” to take in the crew.

The torpedoing of the Dena – which U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as “quiet death” – was the first such action by the United States since World War Two and a clear sign of the Iran conflict’s widening geographic scope.

The internal State Department cable, which was dated March 6 and has not been previously reported, said Jayne Howell, the charge d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Colombo, had emphasized to Sri Lanka’s government that neither the Booshehr crew nor the 32 Dena survivors should be repatriated to Iran.

It said “Sri Lankan authorities should minimize Iranian attempts to use the detainees for propaganda.”

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives for Dissanayake’s office and Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry were not ⁠immediately available for comment.

The cable said Howell also told the Israeli ambassador to India and Sri Lanka there was no plan to repatriate the crew to Iran. The envoy asked Howell whether there was any engagement with the crew to encourage “defection”, the cable said.

A representative for the Israeli embassy in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s deputy minister for health and mass media, Hansaka Wijemuni, told Reuters ⁠that Tehran had asked Colombo for help repatriating the bodies of those killed aboard the Dena, but a timeframe to do so has not yet been determined.

The Dena had taken part in naval exercises organised by India in the Bay of Bengal last month and was returning to Iran when it ⁠was struck by a U.S. torpedo.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the Dena was armed when it was hit and the United States did not provide a warning before carrying out the strike.

The State Department cable said the second vessel, the Booshehr, ⁠will remain in Sri Lankan custody for the duration of the conflict.

Sri Lankan authorities said on Friday that they were escorting the Booshehr to a harbor on the eastern coast and moving most of its crew to a navy camp near Colombo.

Source: Reuters

Large explosions and fires were reported near Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran following a new wave of Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian capital in the early hours of March 7.

Iranian state media said an Israeli strike had hit an area close to the airport, which serves as one of the country’s main international aviation hubs.

Videos circulating on social media showed multiple explosions lighting up the night sky, with thick columns of smoke rising from the area.

Residents living near the airport said they saw what appeared to be commercial aircraft parked on the tarmac catching fire as massive fireballs and heavy smoke filled the air.

Several witnesses also reported powerful blasts shaking parts of the city overnight, with loud explosions heard across Tehran.

Images broadcast by Iranian media showed a large ball of fire and smoke rising from the direction of Mehrabad Airport, visible behind high-rise apartment buildings in the city.

The Israeli military stated that it had carried out an “extensive” series of strikes targeting sites linked to the Iranian government in Tehran.

Residents described the bombardment as the most intense since the conflict began, with some telling international media that it was “the worst night since the war started.”

Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Northern, North-central, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and North-western provinces during the early hours of the morning.

Sri Lanka faced renewed international scrutiny at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, as the Sri Lanka Core Group called for the repeal and non-use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and raised concerns over the government’s proposed replacement legislation.

Delivering the statement on 2 March 2026, the United Kingdom’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, spoke on behalf of the Core Group, comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the UK.

The Core Group extended condolences to Sri Lanka for the loss caused by Cyclone Ditwah in November, before turning to issues of memorialisation, land release and accountability.

“We acknowledge the government’s steps to allow communities of different backgrounds to commemorate losses from the conflict era. Memorialisation is vital to reconciliation, and we encourage continued progress.”

The statement, however, reiterated longstanding concerns over Sri Lanka’s security legislation.

“We reiterate our call for the repeal, and non use, of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The latest version of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill raises even greater concerns than previously. Counter-terrorism legislation must comply with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations.”

The Prevention of Terrorism Act has long been criticised by Eelam Tamils and international human rights organisations as a tool of arbitrary detention, torture and repression. Recent weeks have seen widespread protests across the North-East, including in Jaffna, Batticaloa and Mannar, demanding the Act’s repeal and opposing the proposed new legislation.

The Core Group also addressed land occupation and transitional justice.

“While some military held land has been released, the pace of releases remains too slow. We note recent commitments by the President on transitional justice, anti racism, and emblematic human rights cases; however, concrete results are still limited. Key institutions remain weak, and threats against witnesses, victims, and journalists associated with cases persist.”

Large areas of land in the North-East remain under military control more than sexiteen years after the end of the armed conflict, with Tamil families continuing to seek the return of ancestral lands.

The Core Group concluded by welcoming the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights report on conflict-related sexual violence and paid tribute to survivors.

“Finally, we thank OHCHR for its report on conflict related sexual violence and honour those who shared their experiences. We urge Sri Lanka to engage constructively, strengthen legal protections, and ensure justice for survivors.”

TAMIL GUARDIAN