Bridging the Digital Divide: HUTCH in Partnership with TRCSL Pioneers Connectivity to Unserved Rural Sri Lanka

HUTCH, in close partnership with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), is advancing the Government’s national ambition of Gamata Sanniwedanaya, a programme launched several years ago to close the digital divide and ensure that rural Sri Lankans have equal access to modern digital infrastructure. As a key industry partner supporting this national vision, HUTCH is strengthening its commitment to driving digital inclusivity across underserved regions where connectivity gaps have long restricted opportunity.

This initiative is driven by the belief that connectivity is a foundational enabler of progress. Reliable mobile broadband creates pathways for education, healthcare access, small business growth, e-commerce participation, and day-to-day digital conveniences that urban citizens already take for granted. In many rural communities, people still travel long distances just to complete simple tasks, paying a bill, sending money, accessing government services, or managing business transactions. By extending strong, consistent network coverage to these areas, HUTCH is helping to unlock equal opportunities and enabling rural Sri Lankans to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

The impact is immediate and far-reaching. Students in remote villages will finally be able to access online learning resources without interruption. Farmers and micro-entrepreneurs can begin using mobile tools for market prices, supply chain decisions, and digital payments. Healthcare providers can leverage connectivity for remote consultations and public-health awareness. Over time, improved coverage will stimulate new economic activity, support MSME growth, and strengthen digital inclusion at a national scale.

As part of this phase of expansion under the Gamata Sanniwedanaya programme, HUTCH has introduced reliable broadband access to the communities of Lakegala and Kiivulawadiya, along with multiple new sites across Wannamkulama, Weligollewa, Gomarankalla, Bunwalakanda, Idamegama, Mahalanda, Endurapoth East, and Welimanana. These areas, located within some of Sri Lanka’s least connected districts, represent thousands of households that have historically lived without consistent mobile broadband. With this rollout, HUTCH is transforming the digital experience of these unserved populations and enabling access to opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Asanga Ranasinghe, Chief Technology & Information Officer at HUTCH, underscored the necessity of robust digital infrastructure as a prerequisite for national progress. “Our mission is rooted in digital inclusiveness,” he stated. “A significant challenge remains, with nearly 30% of Sri Lankan subscribers still on 2G technology and broadband access largely absent in rural areas. Establishing this foundational connectivity is the critical first step towards a true digital economy and effective e-Governance. Through the Gamata Sanniwedanaya programme, we are committed to empowering every Sri Lankan, irrespective of location, with access to digital opportunity. This goes beyond mere network expansion; it is about uplifting communities by providing them with the tools to improve their lives and build a more inclusive future for all.”