City in Western Province, Sri Lanka
Internet in Colombo: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Colombo?
Median fixed broadband in Sri Lanka is 37 Mbps and mobile is 59 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Good wifi in most modern cafés and malls; 4G and 5G are strong across the center.
Getting online in Colombo
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from SLT-Mobitel and Dialog in most apartment blocks; roughly 4,000–9,000 LKR a month depending on speed. |
| Cafés and coworking | Good wifi in most modern cafés and malls; 4G and 5G are strong across the center. |
| Outages | Occasional short power cuts in storms |
| Tourist SIM | Dialog stores right after customs at Colombo airport; passport needed. Tourist plans cost LKR 1,399–2,450 for 30 days with 20–50 GB. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Dialog, SLT-Mobitel, Hutch |
| Monthly data plan | Rs1,400–2,500 ($4.2–7.6) |
Coworking in Colombo
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in South Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 89 Mbps | — |
| Bangladesh | 71 Mbps | 39 Mbps |
| India | 64 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Sri Lanka | 37 Mbps | 59 Mbps |
| Pakistan | 18 Mbps | 32 Mbps |
| Afghanistan | 6 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Colombo?
Median fixed broadband in Sri Lanka is 37 Mbps and mobile is 59 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Good wifi in most modern cafés and malls; 4G and 5G are strong across the center.
Which SIM card should I get in Colombo?
Dialog stores right after customs at Colombo airport; passport needed. Tourist plans cost LKR 1,399–2,450 for 30 days with 20–50 GB.
Can I use an eSIM in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Colombo
Going to Colombo solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Sri Lanka
- Dialog
- SLT-Mobitel
- Hutch
- Bandaranaike International Airport
- Sri Lanka Railways
- PickMe
- Asiri Health
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.