Lalith de Silva takes over for second time as CEO of Mobitel

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, Sri Lanka's National Mobile Service Provider announced the reappointment of Lalith de Silva as the company's Chief Executive Officer. No stranger to the mobile telecommunications industry in Sri Lanka, De Silva was also Mobitel's first CEO to assume duty following the acquisition of the company by Sri Lanka Telecom in 2002 and was instrumental in laying the foundation for the company's rapid technological and market growth. Hailed as a global ICT and project management specialist, De Silva brings with him a vast bank of experience gained as a senior consultant at SLT, a Board Director at SriLankan Airlines and Senior Advisor at Saudi Telecom.

Lalith de Silva

Enjoying a successful year decorated with numerous awards and high growth, his appointment comes at a crucial juncture not just in the history of Mobitel, but also in Sri Lanka.

Mobitel's timely introduction of the latest in mobile technology to Sri Lanka is testimony to the telecommunication service provider's vision of leading Sri Lanka towards an Info-Com and knowledge rich society through its service offerings. Mobitel was the first in Asia to launch a Super 3.5G HSPA network and the first in Sri Lanka to demonstrate HSPA+MIMO and 4G/LTE.

Constantly striving to create unparalleled communication solutions and implement new technology to boost the country, Mobitel has taken giant strides to make ICT technology affordable and accessible to everyone. The appointment of an ICT specialist of the calibre of De Silva also further reinforces Mobitel's vision alignment with the ICT development goals of the nation.

Nimal Welgama, Chairman SLT and Mobitel, Speaking on the appointment said, with proven expertise as an inspirational leader with high performing team building skills, I am confident that Lalith together with the able support of the forward thinking, dynamic and highly committed team at Mobitel, would be able to steer the Mobitel brand towards even greater heights in the Sri Lankan Mobile ICT landscape.

De Silva talking about his appointment and aspirations for the company said "Returning to Sri Lanka after many years I am delighted to see the transformation of our nation not only in terms of infrastructure and economic development, but also in terms of its people and their social and spiritual progression. We are now a free and United Nation under a strong and visionary leader.

From an industry perspective, within a short span of six years, our mobile penetration has grown from less than 20 percent to the current level of over 90 percent. Internet penetration too has grown by ten fold.

It is certainly a promising time for the country and I consider it both a privilege and a pleasure to have the opportunity to once again lead the Mobitel team and help contribute towards the further development of our nation.