Issuing a message on the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day that fell on 17th May, the President said Sri Lanka's Telecom Industry has shown a significant growth.

The industry has more than 23 million fixed and Mobile subscribers in the country, exceeding the population with national penetration currently at 112 percent. This increase in subscriber penetration, driven by good affordability, makes Sri Lanka a country having cheapest voice and broadband tariffs in the world, the President noted in his message.

The expansion of this industry contributes to economic growth through new job creations, widening markets, saving on transportation time and attracting new investment. It also provides good innovative opportunities in the economy, supporting technological progress, he added.

"It is necessary for us to look at how the progress of this industry could contribute to peace and reconciliation through the further improvement of communication in the former areas of armed conflict, and bring wider relief and expectation of participation in progress to the people in those areas, and those in rural sector," President Sirisena further added in his message.

The President, recognizing the valuable contribution Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has made to enable a fast growing area of the Sri Lankan economy, congratulated the TRSCL on its achievement and commitments to economic growth and national progress in the future.