The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am glad to speak right after the Opposition Leader. He claimed the President spoke without data. But we were here; the President presented statistics—on growth, exports, regional breakdowns. The Hon. Kabir Hashim was present; Hon. Harsha de Silva also intervened. In seven to eight months we have moved the economy forward; the President spoke to that, including about catching thieves and tackling corruption.

¶ 02 An Hon. Member mentioned a “rocket.” Let me address that. A question to the Prime Minister referred to a private company linked to Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger son, Rohitha (“Chichi”), and a rocket. The PM read a reply based on BOI data. Later, media claimed astronomical earnings—US$ 1.5 billion, Rs. 320 billion—off a “SupremeSAT rocket.” The PM clearly stated the information provided. The error lies in the data compilation.

¶ 03 For the record: the reply listed investment by SupremeSAT of Rs. 12,104 million in 2013/2014. It also listed revenues: 2015/2016 – Rs. 19.167 million; 2016/2017 – Rs. 28.133 million; 2017/2018 – Rs. 29.18 million; 2018/2019 – Rs. 34.18 million; 2019/2020 – Rs. 42.98 million; 2020/2021 – Rs. 62.8 million; 2021/2022 – Rs. 87.8 million; first half 2023 – Rs. 39.5 million. Total: Rs. 342.8 million—not billions. So those who posted otherwise on YouTube and Facebook must correct themselves.

¶ 04 The timeline: BOI agreement in May 2012; a satellite launch referenced in November 2012—but Chinese Aerospace records show their own launch details. SupremeSAT’s filings show Rs. 12.104 billion in assets in 2013/14, with a corresponding liability of about Rs. 11.7 billion as financing from a foreign facility, noted as a lease-based satellite arrangement. However, in 2014/2015 accounts, that entry disappears—assets and liabilities both. From 2015/16 onward, accounts show no such satellite asset, and BOI has not received accounts after 2022. Where is the satellite? Who financed the alleged US$ 320 million cost? Two Chinese banks are cited. A local investor is also mentioned—if Rs. 12 billion was invested locally, by whom? These matters require verification.

¶ 05 We will pursue investigations—on this and on those who stole public funds. Do not be afraid; due process will follow. If land was acquired for Rs. 740 million or other irregularities occurred, accountability will follow. The Opposition raised the satellite; we will now trace it properly.