EDOTCO Sri Lanka has successfully launched its inaugural independently owned neutral-host telecommunications tower, following the acquisition of its Infrastructure Provider License in September. This advancement marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications landscape.
Positioned in the Kahagalla area of the Kegalle District, the tower signifies a departure from the conventional model where telecommunications towers were exclusively built, owned, and operated by mobile network operators (MNOs). Under the new regulatory framework, EDOTCO is authorized to develop and operate passive telecommunications infrastructure, allowing MNOs to deploy their active equipment and provide services to consumers.
The newly established tower is anticipated to improve network coverage, capacity, and reliability in the Galigamuwa Division Secretariat area of the Kegalle District. It aims to bolster economic activity, promote digital inclusion, and enhance access to essential services. A ceremonial handover took place with the participation of the Honorable Member of Parliament for the Kegalle District, Mr. Kanchana Welipitiya, along with officials from the Divisional Secretariat of Kegalle District and the Galigamuwa Pradesheeya Sabha.
This development underscores the significance of neutral-host infrastructure in facilitating quicker network deployment, minimizing duplication of physical assets, and optimizing land use, especially in regional and underserved areas.
The Governor of the Sabaragamuwa Province, Mrs. Champa Janaki Rajaratne, Retired Judge of the High Court of Sri Lanka, emphasized the broader developmental impact of such investments, stating, “Telecommunications infrastructure is a critical enabler of regional development. The establishment of this tower in Kegalle strengthens digital access for our communities and supports education, commerce, and public services. We appreciate EDOTCO’s continued commitment to building future-ready infrastructure that supports inclusive growth in the province.”
EDOTCO Sri Lanka has already established a robust nationwide presence, operating over 750 smart lamp poles across all 25 districts. Within a broader national landscape of 7,000 towers, it is estimated that 11% to 15% of mobile traffic is already carried via EDOTCO’s pole network, demonstrating the efficiency of innovative, space-efficient infrastructure solutions in meeting increasing data demand.
Commenting on the milestone, Country Managing Director of EDOTCO Sri Lanka, Mr. Gayan Koralage, stated, “This first tower commissioned following the award of our Infrastructure Provider License marks a new phase in our contribution to Sri Lanka’s digital development. Building on our nationwide pole network, we are committed to supporting our MNO customers in expanding connectivity to rural and underserved areas through faster rollouts, cost-efficient deployment, and sustainable infrastructure.”
As Sri Lanka’s telecommunications sector continues to modernize, EDOTCO Sri Lanka remains focused on delivering scalable, shared infrastructure solutions that support national connectivity goals, strengthen network resilience, and drive the country’s digital future.
EDOTCO Sri Lanka is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia-based EDOTCO Group, a regional integrated telecommunications infrastructure services provider in Asia and the sixth-largest tower company globally. EDOTCO Sri Lanka is the first neutral host tower company in the country to receive an Infrastructure Provider License, marking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s telecommunications ecosystem.
Photo caption: The event was attended by Mr. Kanchana Welipitiya, Hon. M.P. of Kegalle District, Mr. Jagath Herath, Divisional Secretary of Kegalle District, Mr. R. L. Rajapaksa – Chairman of Galigamuwa Pradesheeya Sabha, Mr. Gayan Koralage – Country Managing Director of Edotco Services Lanka (Private) Limited, representatives of Dialog Axiata PLC, and key staff members of Edotco.
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