SLT-Mobitel completes historic SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable landing in Matara

• Cable system will be in commercial operation by mid-2026
• The 21,700 km SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable connects Singapore to France through key points across Asia and the Middle East

Sri Lanka has achieved a breakthrough in its telecommunications infrastructure with SLT-Mobitel successfully landing the Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 6 (SEA-ME-WE 6) submarine cable in Matara on 29 December.

Accordingly, 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 PLC, as the legal signatory to the consortium, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in global connectivity.

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. 

“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,” SLT said in a statement.
The entity stressed that environmental sustainability remained a top priority throughout the project. SLT-Mobitel affirmed it worked closely with government departments and local authorities to secure an environmentally-conscious landing route. 

“The marine path was carefully selected following comprehensive environmental assessments and strict adherence to marine protection policies,” it said, adding that the company utilised existing infrastructure to minimise environmental impact when connecting the submarine cable to the Matara landing station.