Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce a significant development. He shared that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has granted approval for the launch of Starlink's satellite internet services in the country. This decision is subject to a two-week public consultation period before final implementation.

President Wickremesinghe highlighted on social media platform X  the approval by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) for Starlink to launch satellite internet services in Sri Lanka. This decision is contingent on a two-week public consultation period. The president underscored the potential transformation this move holds for Sri Lanka, particularly for its youth.

He expressed optimism about the impact of Starlink's satellite internet services, noting that it will revolutionise connectivity across the country. President Wickremesinghe emphasised that faster and more reliable internet will open up new opportunities for Sri Lanka's youth. They will be able to access global educational resources, collaborate on innovative projects, and thrive in the digital age.

Furthermore, the president announced plans to introduce relief packages for the education and fishing sectors. This initiative aims to support these crucial sectors and harness the benefits of enhanced connectivity brought by Starlink's implementation. The move is expected to address challenges in maintaining communication in remote areas and during natural disasters, thereby bolstering Sri Lanka's resilience in such situations.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, acknowledged President Wickremesinghe's announcement regarding the approval of Starlink's satellite internet services in Sri Lanka. Musk expressed his gratitude, highlighting the importance of this collaboration and noting the positive reception from SpaceX's leadership. Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed internet access to even the most remote areas worldwide.

The introduction of Starlink in Sri Lanka is anticipated to address significant connectivity challenges by providing reliable and high-speed internet access to regions that have historically faced poor or non-existent internet service.

The President highlighted the critical benefits for the education and fishing sectors, announcing the introduction of relief packages aimed at enabling these sectors to effectively leverage the new technology.

Enhanced internet connectivity promises substantial benefits for the education sector, offering students and educators access to global resources and facilitating more interactive and innovative educational practices.

In the fishing sector, reliable internet can revolutionise navigation, catch management, and communication with markets and communities for fishermen, thereby enhancing efficiency and safety.

Image source: The Economic Times