Telecommunications Act to be Amended to Allow Starlink Internet Service

The Committee on Public Finance has approved amendments to the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill to introduce the Starlink satellite internet service in Sri Lanka, a part of Elon Musk’s global business network.

The current telecommunications law, which was last amended 28 years ago, will be updated to regulate the industry in line with advanced technology. State Minister Kanaka Herath stated that if this bill is enacted, it will include provisions to regulate satellite-based internet services in the country.

An announcement from the Parliamentary Media Section indicated that approval was given during a recent committee meeting. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva and included participation from MPs of both parties, officials from the Attorney General’s Department, and representatives from institutions such as the Technology and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.