Development Lotteries Board - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Development Lotteries Board, which brings the dawn to the life, was established on 19th January 1983 with great objectives. During past period of 35 years DLB could present many winners whilst marking many turning points of its journey. DLB, during these years made a tremendous contribution for the enhancement of the education as well as health sectors giving a true meaning to the money spent by the people of this country for buying lotteries. In the meantime it labored to change the life of the people in more positive way.

This institution was established with the investment of Rs.2.2 million each by President’s Fund and Mahapola Trust Fund with intension to strengthen the financial basis of the President's Fund. Therefore DLB still remains as the only public institution, which  

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donates the dividends to President's Fund. At the commencement DLB was named as Development Lotteries Center and then it was transformed to Development Lotteries Trust in 1993. Later, in 12th August 1997 it was again transformed to Development Lotteries Board by Development Lotteries Act No 20 of 1997.

DLB marked its entry in the field introducing instant lotteries to the market in year 1983. Then it became the first ever lottery industry, which introduced the draws by Television, with the introduction of Shanida Wasana lotter in 1987. At the beginning the draw was held only on Saturdays but then it was extended up to Wednesdays and Mondays also.

The draw of Wasana Chakra was commenced on 25th January 1998 and it was held every week. By this measure a draw of the second round was introduced for the benefit of the buyers of instant lotteries, who couldn't win at the first round. It can be highlighted as a programme, which gained immense popularity at that time.

As the second phase the lottery called Sanwardana Wasana was introduced (It is named as Lagna Wasana now) to the market and the draw of it was held on 09th October 1998. It became the second draw held by Television media. This draw was held on Tuesday and Friday and the special feature of this lottery is the inclusion of symbols of Lagna along with the numbers. Due to the popularity observed in a short period the draw was extended also to Wednesdays and Sundays.

Jayoda lottery was introduced at the third phase on 26th January 2004 of which the draw was conducted on Mondays and Thursdays. Today it has gained a thundering popularity and the lottery has been introduced to the market from 2018 increasing the super jackpot up to 20 million.

DLB market another turning point in its history on 08th November 2017 introducing Niyatha Jaya lottery ticket with a super jackpot of Rs. 10 million as the initiate amount of the prize. Now the draws of the lottery are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

In April 2017, DLB marked another turning point of its journey issuing Kotipathi Shanida presenting Rs. 72.5 million, which was the highest cash award of the historyat that time, as its first prize. Today it has come to the apex as the most popular lottery ticket of DLB.

Again DLB marked another change in the industry in August 2017for the first time introducing Ada Kotipathi lottery ticket with a super jackpot of Rs. 50 million, of which the draw is held daily. This lottery has now won higher attraction of the people presenting 13 millionaires.

DLB in its journey has introduced three new lotteries namely Dasa Lakshapathi, Galaxy Star and Sanwardana Wasanawa but at present Dasa Lakshapathi and Galaxy Star have been removed from the market.

When looking back, it is evident that DLB has successfully made necessary changes in line with the current social, cultural and economic trends to be successful in the market. From the commencement DLB could apply modern technology for printing lottery tickets and further to present prizes to the winners. By now DLB has made many initiatives to look forward with the changing environment following the precedents of the international lottery arena and applying the technology of the moment.

As a result of these initiatives to day the DLB can communicate the results of lottery draws to customers through IVR and SMS.

DLB, which is successfully stepping forward, makes its contributions to President’s Fund and Mahapola Trust Fund adhering to its main objectives whilst making many developments. Accordingly DLB could make a contribution of Rs. 2 ,132 ,089,178 to President’s Fund during the period from 1983 up to 2018. In the meantime the number of scholarships awarded from the establishment of DLB for the higher education of needy students of the country is 289137. Therefore the service rendered by DLB investing the money spent by people from their pocket can, without any doubt, be highlighted as unmatched service for the development of the country and people.

With all these measure DLB has provided employments to a large number of persons including 88 Sales Distributors, more than 2500 Sales Agents and further more than 20000 Sales Assistants. Therefore DLB has made a safe platform to live with dignity for more than one hundred thousand, who are depending on the above employees. In the meantime DLB provides employments to more than 300 employees as the staff of the institution proving its capacity to protect the staff as the customers. The decision taken by DLB to provide employments to nearly 550 differently abled people, who are not accepted by most of the institutions in job market, has brought smiles to these people giving them opportunity to spent a fruitful life.

Amidst these busy schedules DLB always takes measures to pay all taxes and other due payments properly and also to lend its hand for the religious, educational, social, cultural programmes.

DLB as a Government Institution never hesitates to make its contribution to achieve the target to become a development country and in the meantime it makes avenues to the people to raise their heads as independent community. During this long journey DLB has proved again and again that it is an institution which brings the humanity than money in its efforts to enhance the national economy and promote social and cultural fields with the utilization of physical and human resources of the country.