Telecommunication, Power and Roads: Private and public investment programmes have been implemented to improve the country's basic infrastructure facilities. Today, Sri Lanka's infrastructure ranks as the best available in South Asia. The government is actively encouraging private sector investment in infrastructure on the basis of BOO (Build, Operate and Own) and BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer). Currently there are private investment projects in power, ports, water sanitation, transportation (highways and rail) and IT.
Telecommunication
Development of Sri Lanka's telecommunications sector is based on private sector investments. Significant aspects of this sector are:
Operations by multiple public and private telephone service providers, including three basic, four cellular and six payphone services, making the industry one of the most competitive in Asia.
The number of fixed telephone lines installed increased by 84% between 1997 and 1999 as a result of the entry of two wireless loop operators led by Telia AB of Sweden, Trans Asia Telecom Ltd., of Singapore, Trans Atlantic Telecommunications UK and the privatisation of Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd.
Global telecom giants such as NTT, Ericsson, Telstra, Hutchison Wampoa and Malaysia Telecom are other major operators in the Sri Lankan telecommunications industry.
Deregulation has resulted in the country's largest ever privatisation initiative, with NTT of Japan purchasing 35% of Sri Lanka Telecom for US$ 225 million.
The availability of satellite bandwidth through several private operators such as Electroks and Ceycom Global Communications.
Power
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is the main supplier of electricity to the National Grid.
Independent Power Producers (IPP) share of total power generation was 8% in 1999.
The total installed capacity of electricity under both CEB and IPP stood at 1,691 MW in 1999.
| Installed Capacity (MW) | Units Generated(GWh) | Price per Unit (Industrial) Rs. | |
| Ceylon Electricity Board Hydro Thermal Wind | 1,137 453 3 | 4,152 1,396 3 | 7.75 4.60 - 9.00 6.50 |
| IPP Hydro Thermal | 6 92 | 18 507 | |
| Self Generation | - | 108 | |
| Total | 1691 | 6184 |
Source: Ceylon Electricity Board
Bureau of Infrastructure Development
Roads
115km from Colombo either by road or by rail. Seaplane transport is also available if need
All other sub ways to other provinces are also being developed.
- Kandy to Matara (Southern Province (via Nuwara Eliya) 165 km)
- Kandy to Batticaloa (Eastern Province 230 km)
- Kandy to Anuradhapura (North Central Province 340 km)
- Kandy to Colombo (Western Province 115km)
Modes of transport are Railway, Private and public buses for passenger transport, Trucks, Containers and Lorries for transporting goods