Sri Lanka Telco’s offers ‘Free Data’ to manage crisis: However struggles to connect

Sri Lanka disaster management efforts are facing challenges by the disruption of telecommunication networks to several parts of the country, specially the country’s central region.

A Telecom Regulatory Commission meeting held last evening has revealed that the fibre-optic infrastructure of major telecom providers has been heavily damaged due to landslides triggered by ongoing extreme weather conditions.

Experts also reported that operators are struggling to keep mobile towers functioning in several regions due to extended power cuts.

Many areas have lost electricity after supply lines were destroyed by landslides, floods, and strong winds.

As a result, millions of Sri Lankans are experiencing “no signal” and “no coverage” situations.

This has left them unable to communicate with loved ones or reach emergency services.

Despite the connectivity crisis, mobile operators have announced various data and call concessions to help manage the ‘crisis.’

The Offers Announced:

Starlink: 100% free internet for all flood-affected users until the end of December.
Dialog Axiata: 10GB broadband data valid for 48 hours.
Mobitel: 1GB data + 300 SMS + 300 minutes — SMS “YES” to 7677.
Hutch: 300 minutes (any network) + 1GB data for 3 days — dial #3111#.
Dialog & Airtel: 250 minutes + 250 SMS + 1GB for 3 days — dial #006#.
SLT-Mobitel (Fixed Line): Free calls + unlimited 4G/LTE/ADSL until 7 AM, November 29.

However, despite these relief packages, the public in certain parts of the country finds difficulty connecting with loved ones, rescue teams, and government officials.

Poor accessibility — both by road and through telecommunications has resulted people unable to find the whereabouts of the public as per the social media posts circulating.

On social media, several operators, facing heavy criticism for what many describe as a failure to deliver when the country needs them most.

TRC Statement