mawratanews.lk case study

The Challenge
As a trusted source of news for Sri Lankans, Mawratanews.lk faced significant challenges in handling fluctuating traffic patterns, particularly during high-stakes news events. Their existing infrastructure struggled with performance bottlenecks during peak times, often resulting in slow page loads and site downtime. Additionally, operational costs were rising, and the platform required a solution that would deliver high performance without unnecessary expenses.

The website’s user experience also needed an upgrade to match the evolving expectations of a tech-savvy audience. With mobile users making up a significant portion of their traffic, ensuring seamless accessibility across all devices was essential.

Our Approach
We approached the transformation of Mawratanews.lk with a clear focus on scalability, performance, and cost optimization. By implementing a fully managed AWS architecture, we provided a solution that could dynamically scale resources based on real-time traffic demands. This architecture was designed to handle the unpredictable spikes during breaking news, ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted experience for users.

The infrastructure included AWS auto-scaling groups to adjust server capacity as needed, elastic load balancing for efficient traffic distribution, and optimized storage solutions for the platform’s multimedia content. These measures not only improved performance but also significantly reduced costs during off-peak periods.

On the front end, we modernized the website’s design, creating a user-friendly and visually appealing interface. The site was optimized for both desktop and mobile users, ensuring fast load times and intuitive navigation. The content management system (CMS) was upgraded to a streamlined, WordPress-based solution, empowering the Mawratanews.lk team to manage content updates efficiently.

Enhanced User Engagement
To enhance engagement, we implemented features that kept users informed and connected. Breaking news alerts, categorized news sections, and an improved search functionality were introduced to make content discovery effortless. The dual-language setup was carefully structured, enabling smooth transitions between Sinhala and English versions while maintaining performance and usability.

Cost Efficiency Through AWS
One of the standout features of the project was the cost-effective infrastructure. By using AWS’s pay-as-you-go model, Mawratanews.lk was able to scale down resources during low-traffic periods, reducing operational costs without compromising performance. This optimization ensured that the platform operated efficiently, even with budget constraints.

Results and Impact
The revamped Mawratanews.lk quickly demonstrated its ability to handle high-traffic scenarios without interruptions. During breaking news events, the platform seamlessly managed significant traffic surges, maintaining fast load times and a smooth user experience.

The modernized design and enhanced features led to increased engagement metrics, with a noticeable rise in session duration and a reduction in bounce rates. Mobile users particularly benefited from the improved responsiveness and navigation, further expanding the platform’s reach.

Additionally, the cost savings achieved through AWS’s managed architecture allowed Mawratanews.lk to allocate resources toward other strategic initiatives, such as expanding their content offerings and improving journalistic capabilities.

Conclusion
Mawratanews.lk now stands as a leading example of how modern technology can empower media platforms to meet the demands of a digital-first audience. By leveraging AWS’s managed architecture and focusing on scalability, performance, and user experience, we transformed the platform into a resilient and efficient news website. Mawratanews.lk continues to play a vital role in Sri Lanka’s media landscape, delivering news and updates to a growing audience while operating with optimized costs and peak performance.