It was tough to engage when reforms were not on the cards and Myanmar seemed happy to watch while the whole world got connected. Those days we wrote about China selling mobile service inside Myanmar and about cables that were cut. We also wrote about Cyclone Nargis and our small contributions to relief.
But all that changed once the reform winds started blowing. I’ve been asked why so many blog posts on Myanmar. When 60 million people are about to be connected electronically for the first time, the question is why not.
Any way, we are off to Yangon tomorrow. We will teach a short course to government officials in Naypitaw on the 20th and have discussions on how we can contribute. This is truly exciting.
3 Comments
Alison
Very exciting indeed…looking forward to hearing about progress made.
Julian Rawle
Dear Rohan, I will be attending the inaugural Myanmar Connect conference organized by Capacity Media in September and would love to get your insights on Myanmar from your recent trip? Thank you.
Rohan Samarajiva
Dear Julian, we’ll be writing up our reflections on the visit. However I am not planning to attend the event you mention.
LIRNEasia is hiring: Communications Assistant
LIRNEasia is looking for a talented individual to join the team as a Communications Assistant. The full job description is available below.
Pakistan’s AI ambitions require strong data governance
Pakistan’s Indus AI Week reflects a growing shift in how the country is approaching artificial intelligence, not simply as a technological trend, but as a strategic tool for economic growth, public sector reform, and national competitiveness. In an article published on March 5, 2026, in the ProPakistani news platform, Muhammad Aslam Hayat, Senior Policy Fellow at LIRNEasia, notes that discussions during the event highlighted ambitions to use AI to improve productivity, create new economic opportunities, and enhance government efficiency.
Advancing Electricity Reforms in Sri Lanka
Efforts to reform Sri Lanka’s electricity industry have been ongoing since the late 1990s, but little progress has been made. In the aftermath of the economic crisis, the removal of distortions affecting the industry and the creation of conditions for economic growth were seen as necessitating significant reform.
Links
User Login
Themes
Social
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Contact
9A 1/1, Balcombe Place
Colombo 08
Sri Lanka
+94 (0)11 267 1160
+94 (0)11 267 5212
info [at] lirneasia [dot] net
Copyright © 2026 LIRNEasia
a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific