Photo Story

President plans to integrate ‘Starlink’ network in SL to improve connectivity (Pics)

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2024

nipuni

President Ranil Wickremesinghe states that the initiative of integrating the global ‘Starlink’ network with Sri Lanka aims to address the Wi-Fi connectivity issues, particularly in areas outside Colombo.

In response to a question raised by a youth at the Jaffna District Youth Conference organized by the National Youth Service Council at Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna, on Friday (24), Wickremesinghe expressed that during his recent discussion with tech billionaire Elon Musk regarding the matter, the potential of solar energy and other renewable energy sources available in the country were also explored.

Meanwhile, the President said he extended an invitation for Musk to collaborate on significant projects in Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, Wickremesinghe revealed that the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has been tasked with assessing the ‘Starlink’ network, with most of the preliminary work already completed.

“We are awaiting feedback from the Ministry of Defence to proceed with approval”, he added.

President Wickremesinghe met with billionaire investor Elon Musk on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting being held in Indonesia on May 19, during which they have discussed the implementation of ‘Starlink’ in Sri Lanka.

Musk was in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation.

The billionaire head of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of social platform X had launched the service alongside Indonesian President Joko Widodo in a ceremony at a public health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali.

Photo Story

India gifts spare parts worth US$ 1.2 mn. to SL Coast Guard Ship

Published

3 days ago

June 25, 2024

editor

Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, arrived in Colombo on June 19, 2024 for two-day visit.

The ship brought essential spare parts worth USD 1.2 million on gratis for Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.

On arrival, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Coast Guard Ship, Deputy Inspector General R Rajesh Nambiraj, TM called on the Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral TSK Perera and the Director General, Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vilthana.

The Indian Coast Guard Ship, in a ceremony, formally handed over the spare parts to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.

The ceremony was graced by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka – Santosh Jha, Secretary of Defence of Sri Lanka Gen Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral TSK Perera, Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana as well as senior officers from Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Navy. The ship departed on 21 June 2024.

SLCGS Suraksha is an Offshore Patrol Vessel donated to Sri Lanka by Government of India in October 2017.

India has donated spare parts for the ship earlier in June 2021 and April 2022 and also provided assistance in refilling of Halon cylinders in January 2024. Handing over of the large consignment of spares symbolizes India’s commitment to support capability building towards addressing the shared challenges of Maritime Security in the region.

Photo Story

Kusal’s ‘Humanist Without Borders’ launched (Pics)

Published

6 days ago

June 22, 2024

editor

‘Humanist Without Borders’, a book that celebrates fifty years of Mr. Anton Marcus as a Trade Unionist, was held in Colombo recently.

Mr. Marcus is currently the Joint Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and Public Employees’ Union (FTZ&GSEU).

The book, together with its Sinhala version – ‘Seema Mayim Nethi Maanawawaadiya’, were penned by political columnist and analyst – Kusal Perera.

A distinguished gathering including TU activists, FTZ&GSEU members and politicians were present at the launch.

Emeritus Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda and the former president and general secretary of New Zealand’s ‘First Union’, Mr. Robert Reed, delivered guest lectures.