For years, Sri Lankan Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have maintained a near-monopoly on internet packages, limiting competition and consumer choice. In today’s digital world, where essential services such as banking, government operations, education, and healthcare are increasingly internet-dependent, reliable and affordable internet access is a necessity—not a luxury.
A clear example of the power of affordable internet access is India. Until 2016, India was relatively closed to the digital world. However, with the launch of low-cost internet packages and smartphones, the country rapidly increased its internet literacy and shifted major systems to online platforms, accelerating its digital transformation.
Sri Lanka’s Current Struggle with Connectivity
In contrast, Sri Lanka continues to struggle. As of now, only 12.4 million people—about 50.1% of the population—are internet users. In comparison, India is expected to have over 900 million users by 2025, representing 48.7% of its population, and it’s gaining new users at a much faster rate than Sri Lanka.
Despite Sri Lanka’s access to high-speed internet infrastructure, including undersea marine cables, many ISPs continue to offer packages that are marketed as “unlimited” but are far from it. These packages are typically governed by Fair Usage Policies (FUPs), which severely restrict data usage after a certain limit. For instance, a customer may be promised speeds of 300 Mbps, but after consuming just 25GB of data in a day, the speed is throttled to 1 Mbps. Can such a plan truly be called “unlimited”?
The Rise of Starlink and Public Awareness
Recently, Starlink—the satellite internet service by Elon Musk—launched operations in Sri Lanka. Unlike local ISPs, Starlink offers truly unlimited data with speeds of up to 300 Mbps, and at competitive pricing. While it may have slightly higher latency (ping) due to being satellite-based, it still provides far more consistent speeds compared to most local options.
The arrival of Starlink has ignited public conversations around the longstanding ISP monopoly in Sri Lanka. Influencer Maniya recently released a video detailing his personal experiences with misleading “unlimited” packages from a Sri Lankan ISP. His video went viral, helping many consumers realize how they’ve been misled.
On the other hand, popular tech YouTuber Chanux Bro published a video titled about Starlink but used most of the time defending local ISPs. Many viewers questioned the credibility and neutrality of the video, calling it more propaganda than a review.
Time for Regulation and Consumer Protection
This situation highlights a serious concern: If these packages are not truly unlimited, how are they being legally advertised as such? Recently, Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority passed a regulation stating that a product cannot be called “chocolate” if it doesn’t contain cocoa butter. The same logic should apply here—if an internet package includes strict usage limits, it should not be labeled as “unlimited.”
As consumer awareness grows and competition arrives, it is time for the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to step in. These authorities must ensure transparency and fairness in advertising internet packages, and break the monopoly that has restricted Sri Lanka’s digital progress for too long.
A Call to Action
Internet access is not just about entertainment—it’s about education, productivity, economic opportunity, and equal access to modern life. Sri Lankans deserve fair pricing, honest advertising, and truly unlimited options that reflect the standards of a connected world. It’s time to break the monopoly and free the internet in Sri Lanka.
