Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite broadband service, faces a launch delay in Sri Lanka due to government concerns over data access for national security. The current administration demands that Starlink guarantee legal access to communication data for law enforcement purposes before services can begin.
While the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) had previously approved Starlink under the former government, the new administration, led by Deputy Minister of Information Technology Eranga Weeraratne, insists on revising the terms to include data interception provisions.
The delay highlights the tension between technological advancement and national security, as Sri Lanka seeks to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure while safeguarding its interests. Meanwhile, Starlink is expanding its reach in other Asian markets, with partnerships in Bangladesh and India underway.