Ranil fires rocket at satellite

6 December 2012 04:42 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In the backdrop of contradictory statements about the China Sat 12 Communication Satellite launched into the orbit recently, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked whether China was using Satellite Orbit slots allocated to Sri Lanka in this case.

Making a statement under Standing Order 23(2), Mr. Wickremesinghe said the local media announced the launch of Sri Lanka’s satellite named ‘Supreme SAT -1 whereas the foreign media announced the launch of such a satellite called China Sat 12 Communication Satellite by China.

He said that Sri Lanka’s outer space was free for the use of all states in the world according to International Law.

“The Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) makes provision for the allocation of Satellite orbit slots to be registered with the ITU. Sri Lanka too is entitled to such slots. The media does not specify whether China SAT 12 Communication Satellite is utilizing a slot allocated to China or Sri Lanka,” he said.

He also said Supreme SAT (Pvt) Limited , a Board of Investment(BoI) company had entered into an agreement with China Great Wall Industry Corporation to co-brand this satellite as Supreme SAT 1. He asked the government to make a detailed statement on this matter.

Mr. Wickremesinghe requested the government to give details about the satellite orbit slots allocated to Sri Lanka, the system followed in selecting a party for the country’s satellite project, the total cost for SupremeSAT, the shareholders and directors of SupremeSAT (Pvt) Ltd.

Besides, he asked the government to table the agreements between BoI and SupremeSAT (Pvt) Ltd, China Great Wall Industry Corporation and SupremeSAT (Pvt) , Government of Sri Lanka and SupremeSAT (Pvt) Ltd, and the project proposals.

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane said the subject minister would give a reply tomorrow in Parliament.

In lighter vein, Mr. Wickremesinghe said, “I would like to know whether the Minister is in the orbit.”

Mr. Gunawardane responded, “He will definitely land on December 8 to give you a reply.” (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 11

Msohona Thursday, 06 December 2012 04:53 PM

Very timely question posed. Now this sounds like the opposition we wish to have.

Hardball Thursday, 06 December 2012 05:09 PM

All this information is in the public domain.

Amit Thursday, 06 December 2012 05:52 PM

This is just pathetic. All information regarding this is already in the public domain, and for the most part the Government had little to do with this satelite launch. As for Ranil demanding "everything be put on the table" did he do the same when he sold the country out with the CFA which he signed in secret back 2002? "Mr Transparency" is barking loudly over an insignificant issue when he committed one of the worst crimes in the nations history.

Royalist Friday, 07 December 2012 12:00 AM

RW is more in orbit than in the opposition! via DM Android App

ranbanda Friday, 07 December 2012 02:22 AM

Ranil sees everything bad when it comes to governing of this country and that is purely democratic but he never let democrati processes in his party and that is why we dont have a godd opposition.In this case China did a favour to us as they done in the past by buying our rubber for a very higer price(more than 40 years ago) and even at that time UNP was opposed to deal with China.If we had the China phobia during the war then LTTE would have won the war.

Citizen Perera Friday, 07 December 2012 02:37 AM

There is more serious rocket being fired at Judiciary...it is more appropriate if opposition concentrate on this matter.

Desapriya Friday, 07 December 2012 02:46 AM

All information in Public domain or in other domains are irrelevant . All should be presented in the parliament if they say the parliament is supreme.

Minister Friday, 07 December 2012 04:54 AM

When there are so many burning questions to be resolved, he looks at the satellites. What else can he do?

Silas Friday, 07 December 2012 06:31 AM

Questions will be asked......dogs will bark ..

Asanka Friday, 07 December 2012 08:33 AM

Gentleman,

This is an issue too, the spent for such project is 360 million dollars. did the gov. has any thing to do with it or China has got our air space in exchange of the SONs wishes..

Roshan Friday, 07 December 2012 10:22 AM

That is why, he is still a opposition leader.

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Ranil fires rocket at satellite

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