Dialog Axiata powers Sri Lanka Cricket as ‘Official National Team Sponsor’

Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe (left) exchanges the sponsorship agreement with Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva in the presence of Sports, Tourism, Lands and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando. Others from left Dialog Axiata PLC Vice President, Brand & Media Harsha Samaranayake, Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara, Ministry Secretary K. Mahesan and Sri Lanka Cricket Head of Marketing Upul Nawarathna Bandara

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading connectivity provider, yesterday reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to nurturing homegrown sporting talent at both the national and international levels. In this spirit, Dialog Axiata is delighted to extend its partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as the official sponsor of the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team.

 With a history of over a decade in powering the sporting passion of the nation, Dialog Axiata, as the prolific promoter of sports in the country, has come forward yet again to take on the mantle of powering the National Cricket team. 

Commenting on the partnership, Sports, Tourism, Lands and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando said, “I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dialog Axiata for their unwavering support in advancing the realm of sports in our nation. Through their steadfast efforts, they have played a pivotal role in fostering the development of sports in Sri Lanka over the years. We firmly believe this enduring partnership will pave the way for countless opportunities, empowering the talented youth of Sri Lanka to illuminate the national and international stage in the years to come.” 

Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe said: “It is with great pride that we extend our decade long partnership with SLC as the ‘Official National Team Sponsor’ of SLC, the passion of the nation. As the trusted digital companion of more than 17 million Sri Lankans’ homes and enterprises, who have propelled Dialog to the pinnacle as the Most Valuable Brand in Sri Lanka, it is a singular privilege to stand alongside our customers and fellow Sri Lankans, united in our shared fervour for cricket and unwavering pursuit of excellence on the global arena.”

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley De Silva said: “Dialog Axiata’s role as the ‘National Team Sponsor’ bodes positively for the sport and the Sri Lankan cricket brand. The symbiotic partnership between Dialog and SLC signifies a strong and harmonious synergy, united in their dedication to forward-thinking strategies aimed at enriching the experience and value for our audiences”.

 

Sri Lanka, the two-time World Cup Champions, respectively, the ICC World Cup in 1996 and the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014, also boasts of becoming the Asia Cup Champs six times since 1986, with the most recent victory being the one  won in the UAE in 2022. The team that became the co-winner of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 is also the only Asian team to win a test series in South Africa to date. Sri Lanka has gone on to produce some of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game, in the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, who has claimed a record 800 test wickets, Sanath Jayasuriya, one of the most destructive batsmen to have ever played the game, and also the likes of Aravinda De Silva, the perennial entertainer, and leaders in the calibre of Arjuna Ranatunga and Mahela Jayawardena, and also the class of Kumar Sangakkara, who has the distinction of being named Wisden Cricketer of the year for the 2012 and 2015 editions of the almanac, who also went to become the first non-British chair of the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club. 

Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the National Cricket, Volleyball, Netball and Esports teams. Dialog is also the primary sponsor of Sri Lanka Golf Open and Paralympic sports by powering the National Para Games, and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games. Further, in line with its commitment towards empowering the champions of tomorrow, the company has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, and Schools Rugby.