Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Sri Lanka will begin Starlink internet service with a one-week trial monitored by TRCSL and the Ministry of Defence. Following technical review, the country plans to expand Starlink access nationwide.
Sri Lanka launched its first large-scale Wi-Fi 7 network at the University of Kelaniya during the Smart University Summit 2025, spearheading campus digital transformation. This next-gen connectivity supports immersive learning and IoT, positioning Sri Lanka as a South Asian leader in education technology.
SLT-MOBITEL sponsored the SLIoT Challenge 2025, Sri Lanka’s top IoT competition, nurturing youth innovation across school, university, and open categories. Winners demonstrated outstanding creativity and technical skill, reflecting the country’s advancing digital landscape and SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to fostering next-gen tech talent.
SLT-MOBITEL has partnered with Ekinops to deliver next-generation network connectivity solutions for enterprises in Sri Lanka. The collaboration leverages virtualization and advanced technologies to provide secure, scalable infrastructure that supports business growth and digital transformation across the country.
SLT-Mobitel’s SLIoT Challenge 2025 successfully showcased Sri Lanka’s emerging IoT talent across schools, universities, and the open sector. By combining expert-led workshops with competitive innovation, the event strengthened youth engagement and contributed to the country’s digital transformation journey. University of Moratuwa teams dominated the university category, while diverse winners highlighted IoT’s wide-reaching impact.
Sri Lanka is launching GovTech Ltd. to lead its digital transformation, replacing the current ICTA agency. The move aims to strengthen the country’s digital governance and accelerate innovation.
Mastercard and LankaPay have partnered to enhance Sri Lanka’s digital economy through three key initiatives: co-branded debit cards, low-cost QR payments for tourists, and AI-powered fraud detection. These efforts aim to improve financial inclusion, support SMEs, and boost tourism-driven revenue, advancing the country’s digital transformation.
Dialog Axiata reported a strong performance in Q1 2025, with revenue reaching Rs 43.3 billion, a 4% increase YoY. EBITDA grew 45% YoY to Rs 19.7 billion, with an EBITDA margin of 45.5%. NPAT rose 49% YoY to Rs 4.1 billion. The company also reported significant tax contributions and robust cash flow.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dharmapala Weerakkody, and BASIS members met to discuss strengthening ICT collaboration between the two countries. They explored opportunities in software development, BPO, knowledge sharing, and joint ventures. BASIS was invited to participate in Sri Lanka’s “Disrupt Asia 2025” ICT event in Colombo.
HUTCH’s Future Connect initiative, in partnership with SLIIT, offers students hands-on learning experiences in networking, cloud infrastructure, and data communication. Through industry visits and immersive sessions, HUTCH bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practices, fostering the development of a highly skilled workforce for Sri Lanka’s digital future.