Sri Lanka’s Minister of Technology, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, says the real facts about the controversial Supreme Sat satellite will only be known once the current investigations conclude. Speaking to journalists in Colombo after a ceremonial event, the minister cast doubt on claims that the project had generated massive revenue for the country, suggesting that such earnings would not have gone unpublicised by the Rajapaksas for over a decade.
Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said,
“Do you think that if that much income had come to Sri Lanka from Supreme Sat, the Rajapaksas would have remained silent for ten to thirteen years? They have been accused of that for the past thirteen years. If such income had come, do you think that the Rajapaksas would have remained silent? Do you think that the Rajapaksas would have done something to benefit the country without benefiting themselves? Investigations are taking place. After the investigations are done, we can talk. What happened? Supreme Sat is not a single project. It is a collection of many projects. That is why that company is doing more projects. I think the truth will be revealed soon. So what we need to look at is not to put all of Rajapaksa’s projects aside and take this one alone. Where does this rocket project fit into their overall interventions?”
Dr. Jayatissa stressed that the Supreme Sat initiative should not be assessed in isolation, but rather as part of the wider network of projects linked to the Rajapaksa era. He insisted the public will soon know whether the venture truly served the nation’s interests or was simply another politically driven undertaking hidden behind lofty promises.
