Mobile operator HUTCH has deployed broadband infrastructure to over a dozen new rural locations across multiple districts in partnership with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, extending digital access to thousands of previously unserved residents.
Telecommunications provider HUTCH has extended its Gamata Sanniwedanaya connectivity initiative to rural communities that have long lacked reliable internet access. Working alongside the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), the operator has commissioned new transmission sites across multiple districts, bringing online connectivity to areas including Werellagama, Pelawa, and Muruthalawa in Kandy district, as well as Kumaraeliya and Jayagama in Anuradhapura district. Additional coverage has been established in identified communities within Badulla, Kalutara, Kegalle, and Trincomalee districts.
The latest deployment phase adds approximately 300 square kilometres of broadband coverage and serves over 10,000 residents in previously unconnected areas. According to HUTCH, the expansion enables students to access online educational resources without travelling long distances, allows farmers to check market prices for timely produce sales, and provides small business owners with access to digital marketplaces. The initiative also facilitates remittance transfers for families separated by geographic distance.
HUTCH Chief Executive Officer Saumitra Gupta acknowledged the logistical challenges involved in rural infrastructure development, citing terrain, supply chain obstacles, and power infrastructure as ongoing considerations. He stated that the company views digital inclusion as an ongoing commitment rather than a periodic effort. The operator has indicated that further tower construction is already underway in additional unserved communities, with further sites expected to become operational during the remainder of the year.
The expansion aligns with HUTCH's broader objective of achieving universal connectivity across Sri Lanka and supports the nation's goal of developing a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030.
