President hails Satellite take off; says it is a major beginning for Sri Lanka

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to mark the launch of the satellite said he shares the pride and joy of all Sri Lankans as the country moves to the realm of space taking the SupremeSAT 1 satellite into orbit carrying the national flag into the new frontier of space.

“This is a major beginning for Sri Lanka to benefit from space technology in communications, and give the country a strong position in satellite and space industry in the South Asian region,” the President said.

The SupremeSAT-1 satellite is designed to provide “Direct to Home” (DTH) Television services to the South Asian region and will cater to the fast growing DTH industry both in Sri Lanka and the region, bringing affordable TV, especially to rural communities.

The President also emphasised that it was noteworthy that SupremeSAT Ltd., that is launching this satellite is a wholly Sri Lankan owned company with an investment commitment of $ 320 million. The launch of SupremeSAT-1 is a result of a partnership the Sri Lankan company has with the China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd., he added.

SupremeSAT also has an exclusive partnership with China’s State owned China Greatwall Industry Corporation, to develop space related business in Sri Lanka and South Asia. These business associations have enabled SupremeSAT to build a state of the art Satellite Ground Station at Pallekele, which will control SupremeSAT-1. It will also function as a Space Academy within Sri Lanka, offering great opportunities for the training of Sri Lankans in the space industry that demands very high skills.

“The launch of this satellite will be the beginning of more such  ventures that will help promote Foreign Direct Investment, increase export earnings to the country and help greatly in the transfer of technology within and outside this region,” the President added.

He also congratulated SupremeSAT Ltd., for “this great entrepreneurial venture” that takes Sri Lanka to a new age in its development and industrial progress and extended his wishes for its success in meeting the challenges of the future.