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The Island
|August 15, 2025
Most Sri Lankans, or at least those Cassandra exchanges views with, are satisfied with the present government and particularly approve of President AKD and PM Dr Harini. Recently over the satellite sent to outer space during Prez Mahinda R’s time, dubbed ‘Chi Chi’s rocket’, since his third son was an aspiring astronaut, controversy arose with Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, addressing Parliament saying that figures and info supplied by the PM were incorrect. Cass does not remember him saying that figures given to her by the BOI were incorrect or to be doubted. This was no doubt not quite done, a Cabinet Minister, directly or indirectly, faulting the Prime Minster. Since it is a delicate subject and we journos need to tread carefully, I quote Dr Nalinda Jayatissa who stepped in to douse the controversy in an online article in a Daily Mirror: “...The issue resurfaced after the PM, responding to a question from MP D V Chanaka, disclosed the income generated from the SupremeSat satellite, following conflicting statements in Parliament over its status and earnings”.
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SupremeSat later issued statements reaffirming that its satellite remains in orbit at 87.5 degrees East and clarifying that no government funds were used in the venture. Commenting on the matter, Minister Jayatissa asked, ‘Do you think that if a satellite generated such high income, the Rajapaksas would have stayed silent for the last 13 years? Do you think they would do something benefitting the country without also benefitting themselves?’
“He added that ongoing investigations would reveal the truth, cautioning that the project should not be examined in isolation but be considered alongside other activities linked to the Rajapaksas.”
This story is from the August 15, 2025 edition of The Island.
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