Following the disruptive impact of recent adverse weather and disaster conditions throughout the island, the government convened a critical discussion on November 29th at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to tackle urgent restoration of damaged telephone and internet communication networks.

The roundtable meeting brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Presidential Secretariat, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Ministry of Digital Economy, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. Leading telecommunication service providers Dialog, SLT-Mobitel, Hutch, and Airtel also participated, underscoring the collaborative urgency of the response.

Heavy rains and disaster-related power outages had caused significant damage to transmission towers, leaving many communities especially those most affected by the disaster, disconnected from their families during critical times. The meeting focused on strategies to quickly restore network connectivity and ensure reliable communication channels remained accessible for emergency and routine use.

A decisive resolution emerged to initiate direct coordination between telecommunication Service Providers and the Ceylon Electricity Board to supply generators and alternative power sources immediately to towers without electricity. Additionally, technical repair teams will be dispatched promptly to disaster hit areas, with support from government transport and military sectors to expedite restoration efforts.

Operators also agreed to prioritize emergency calls by minimizing network congestion during ongoing disaster responses.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Hon. Eranga Weerathna, reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to resolving these challenges efficiently and effectively.

Parliamentarian Dr. Najith Indika, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Bandula Herath, additional secretary from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, senior officials from leading national telephone service providers Dialog, SLT-Mobitel, Hutch, and Airtel also participated in this meeting.

The collaboration exemplifies Sri Lanka’s holistic approach to crisis management, leveraging public and private sector coordination to safeguard vital communication infrastructure in times of adversity.