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Path cleared for Starlink’s entry into Sri Lanka, but prohibitive cost remains a major concern
View(s):By Tharushi Weerasinghe
Starlink, a satellite internet service provider developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will become available in Sri Lanka following confirmation of further legal and user policy clarifications.
Starlink offers faster internet speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite services, along with the ability to connect users in remote areas where ground-based infrastructure is limited.
For Sri Lanka, this could mean more internet penetration into rural areas that local telecommunication companies have not invested in yet. But the high cost may be a barrier. According to the Starlink website, residential users are required to pay a one-time hardware fee of Rs. 118,000, in addition to a monthly subscription of Rs. 15,000 for unlimited data.
The current approvals come despite vehement opposition from the NPP when Starlink’s entry was first announced by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in May 2024.
“We have given it all the licensing approvals necessary for operationalisation and device importation, so now it is just a matter of waiting for the dashboard,” noted Deputy Digital Economy Minister Eranga Weeraratne on Friday.
The dashboard clearance will involve government inspection of the terms of use, complaint handling mechanisms, consumer security, and the prosecution of crimes committed over the network.
He said that while the company could start operations, a delay in the import of devices and equipment necessary for set-up had been communicated to them.
“I would get it simply because I’m so frustrated with local network providers charging exorbitant fees and selling ‘unlimited data’ for internet that crawls,” a prospective user told the Sunday Times.
Others, however, felt that the cost was too high for household internet usage. “The idea of unlimited and fast data is appealing, but I can’t justify spending that much since I don’t use the network services that way,” said another.
Some claimed that they were waiting on confirmation of user privacy details, as currently, telecommunication networks have user policies that permit government interception of data and connectivity. The website does not currently feature a legal and privacy policy for Sri Lanka.
Former President Wickremesinghe, who initiated the proposal, first extended the invitation to Elon Musk in May 2024 during a two-day official visit to Bali for the 10th World Water Forum high-level meeting. Taking to X at the time, the President wrote: “Starlink’s expansion could be particularly transformative for countries like Sri Lanka, providing a lifeline to essential services and information.”
At the time, then-opposition MP Handunetti accused President Wickremesinghe of opening the door to “economic hitmen” like Elon Musk. He later apologised, claiming he was misquoted, and clarified that his remarks were meant to highlight how global investors often avoid Sri Lanka due to political instability, economic interference, and a lack of discipline and the rule of law.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka originally approved Starlink operations for Sri Lanka in August 2024, but this was later halted to consider national security concerns arising from data interception.
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