During the launch of SEA-ME-WE 6 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 6) submarine cable in Matara.
SLT-MOBITEL has landed the SEA-ME-WE 6 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 6) submarine cable in Matara, achieving a historic breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications infrastructure. The cable system will be in commercial operation by mid-2026.
The Matara landing was completed in collaboration with Subcom LLC, USA, and under an agreement with SEA-ME-WE 6 Consortium, including Sri Lanka Telecom, as the legal signatory to the consortium, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in global connectivity.
Key SLT-MOBITEL officials, including Prabhath Ambegoda, Chief Operating Officer, SLT; Nalaka Siriwardhana, General Manager—Projects, SLT; Buddhi Manager, General Manager—Transport Networks, SLT; Rohan Ashton, Deputy General Manager—Network Infrastructure Projects, SLT; and the SLT Operational Team, oversaw the landing operation.
The 21,700 km SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable connects Singapore to France through key points across Asia and the Middle East. Built with advanced fibre optic technology, it delivers 130 Tbps of high-speed, low-latency connectivity. As a consortium partner, SLT’s connection to the network enhances Sri Lanka’s global digital infrastructure and meets growing connectivity demands across Europe, Middle East, and South Asia. Moreover, the accomplishment of the SEA-ME-WE 6 landing represents a significant step forward in SLT-MOBITEL’s mission to enhance Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure and global connectivity capabilities.
Environmental sustainability was a top priority throughout the project. SLT-MOBITEL worked with government departments and local authorities to select an environmentally conscious landing route, using existing infrastructure to connect the submarine cable to the Matara landing station and minimize impact.
This addition enhances SLT-MOBITEL’s global connectivity, which includes the SEA-ME-WE 4 and 5 cables, as well as the Bharat-Lanka and Dhiraagu cables, following the retirement of SEA-ME-WE 3. The company remains committed to investing in submarine cable systems to ensure high-quality global connectivity.
This advanced network boosts Sri Lanka’s digital economy. It facilitates seamless communication between Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, solidifying Sri Lanka’s role as a key hub in global telecommunications.
