Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ Elon Musk has turned his attention towards Sri Lanka for the deployment of his Starlink internet services. This shift in focus comes subsequent to the cancellation of Musk’s highly anticipated visit to India, opting instead for trips to China and Indonesia. Accordingly, Elon Musk recently engaged in discussions with Sri Lanka’s President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, during the 10th World Water Forum held in Bali.
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This meeting has generated significant interest as it signifies Musk’s exploration of opportunities to introduce Starlink services to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, confirmation of the meeting was provided by the President’s Media Division through a post on X, stating, “During the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Indonesia, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with @elonmusk to discuss the implementation of @Starlink in Sri Lanka.” Discussions centered around the economic potential and connectivity implications of introducing Starlink services in Sri Lanka.
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Accordingly, Jeevan Thondaman, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, who visited Indonesia alongside President Wickremesinghe, also posted the news on X. He penned, “President @RW_UNP met with @elonmusk today during his 2-day visit to Bali with me for the World Water Forum. President and Elon discussed Sri Lanka’s recovery, economic potential, and new opportunities for investment.” Thondaman also highlighted the significance of connectivity, noting that providing connectivity to remote communities will eventually boost access to education and economic opportunities. According to him, the potential introduction of Starlink in Sri Lanka holds promise, especially for remote regions where internet access is currently limited.
Starlink, leveraging a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, seeks to provide high-speed internet access on a global scale. Accordingly, for Sri Lanka, this connectivity could translate into improved educational resources, enhanced economic opportunities, and a substantial advancement in digital infrastructure. Elon Musk’s previous planned visit to India, slated for April 20 to April 22, 2024, was postponed at the eleventh hour due to heavy obligations related to Tesla. As such, Musk expressed regret over the delay, citing pressing Tesla commitments, but conveyed his anticipation of visiting later in the year.
During the scheduled visit to India, Musk was expected to make significant announcements regarding a potential investment of $2-3 billion in an EV manufacturing plant and developments concerning Starlink. Additionally, the agenda also included discussions with executives from various startups in New Delhi as well as pending approvals from the Indian government to initiate Starlink satellite broadband services in the country. Furthermore, Elon Musk’s engagement with Sri Lanka prompts speculation about the future expansion of Starlink in South Asia.
Amidst the postponed India visit, Musk’s discussions in Sri Lanka signal his interest in exploring and implementing Starlink’s services in the region. Accordingly, the possible launch of Starlink into Sri Lanka could serve as a precedent and have an impact on upcoming agreements and plans in India and other surrounding nations. Elon Musk’s redirection towards Sri Lanka for the deployment of Starlink internet services highlights his adaptive approach and readiness to explore new markets in the region.
Overall, the meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and other Sri Lankan officials at the World Water Forum signify a potential partnership that might substantially boost Sri Lanka’s technological capabilities. As developments unfold, both Sri Lanka and potential markets like India will closely monitor the progress of these plans and their implications for the future of internet connectivity in the region.
