UTILITIES

Introduction

Telecommunication Sector

The country has developed its telecommunications industry to a level that is second to none of the developed nations.

As a result of the pertinent regulatory initiatives, the local telecommunications sector has taken pride in being the prime figure to introduce some of the most latest global telecommunications technologies in the South Asian Region. Sri Lanka has facilitated some of the most advanced technologies in the world such as GSM, 3G, 3.5G and HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) which allows high speed mobile broadband. Sri Lanka is also the first country to introduce Next Generation Networks such as 4G, which would enable the use of WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and LTE (Long Term Evolution). The subscriber Base Sector has indicated a quadrupled growth rate in 2014, with an escalating number of 22 Mn. mobile subscribers. In comparison fixed line usage has recorded a lower growth rate, upto 3.5 Million in 2009.

Statistical overview of the sector as at end September 2013 is as per below:

01 Number of System Licenses 39
02 Total no. of fixed phones 2,678,739
03 Teledensity (Fixed phones per 100 inhabitants) – September 2013 13.34
04 No. of cellular mobile subscribers 22,123,000
05 Mobile subscribers per 10 people – December 2014 107
06 Internet & e-mail subscribers fixed 606,100
07 Internet and E-mail subscribers (Mobile) 2,790,195
08 Number of Public Payphone Booths 6,642
Power & Energy Sector

Maximum electricity demand recorded in the year 2015 is 2,133.74 MWs and it was expected to rise up to 2,415 MW in 2017 subjected to the peak demand growth rate of 6.6% specified by the Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (2011 – 2025), (excluding NCRE component). In order to attain this demand and to satisfy the electricity requirement in Sri Lanka, altogether 142 Grid Connected Power Plants with total installed capacity of 4,050 MW have been operated in the end of 2014. Out of these power plants, 25 have been owned and operated by Ceylon Electricity Board including 17 Hydro Plants, 07 Thermal Plants and 01 Wind Power Plant.

Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Plant with 150 MW was added to the national grid to enhance the generation capacity of CEB, during the first 06 months of 2012. Withal, 11 Thermal Power Plants have been operated by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and 109 Renewable Power Plants have been operated by Small Power Producers (SPPs) including Mini Hydro Plants, Solar Power Plants, Wind Power Plants and Biomass Power Plants. 05 Renewable Power Plants have been commissioned in the half of 2012 to raise the generation capacity of the country.

Statistical overview of the sector as at end September 2013 is as per below:

Ports Development Sector

The island’s Port Strategy will centre on six major ports in Colombo, Hambantota, Galle, Trincomalee, Kankasanturai and Oluwil. The Government has given the highest priority to the development of Port infrastructure in recent years. Key Port Development Projects are Colombo South Harbour Expansion Project, Hambantota Port Development Project, KKS Port Development and restoration, Oluwil Port Development Project & Galle Toursit Port Development.

Colombo South Harbour Development which is to be considered one of the single largest FDI, secured for an investment project with an investment of US$ 500 Mn. to accommodate largest ships in the world (with major investment coming from China) has commenced the project by signing the BOT Agreement with SLPA on 12th August 2011, and investment Agreement with BOI on 22nd September 2011. Completed Phase I of the project by constructing and commencing 400 MTS of the 1200 Mts. Terminal on 01st July 2013. Second Phase of the completion of 400 Mts. Terminal is scheduled during April 2014 and the final Phase is extended to year 2015. To date 167 vessels have called over at the new Terminal.

There is also a project for US$ 39 Mn. in the pipeline to set up and install a State of the Art Security Infrastructure Facility for the Colombo Port.

Sub Sector

Whom to Contact at Board of Investments of Sri Lanka

Contact person Contact Details
Mr. L.A.K.P. Wijeweera
Senior Deputy Director (Monitoring)
Tel: +94 11 2447506 / 11 2427399
Fax: +94 11 2346629
Mobile: +94 777 915467
E-mail: ajithw@boi.lk
Mr. W.D.G Priyankara
Deputy Director (Investment)
Tel: +94 11 2346627 / 11 2427077
E-mail: priyankarag@boi.lk
Mr. Dhammika Basnayake
Assistant Director
Tel: +94 11 2427338
E-mail: dhammikab@boi.lk
Mr. Saman Abeywickrama
Executive Assistant
Tel: +94 11 2430766
E-mail: samana@boi.lk

Major Investors

  1. Didul (Pvt) Ltd
  2. Dialog Axiate PLC
  3. Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd
  4. Sri Lanka Telecom PLC
  5. Etisalat Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
  6. Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd
  7. South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd
  8. West Coast Power (Pvt) Ltd
  9. Cairn Lanka

Last modified on 10/02/2020