(Chairman of SupremeSat, R.M. Manivannan , in a post-launch interview answers some pertinent questions about the final few hours before the launch of Sri Lanka’s first satellite, government support, and geo-political concerns)
Question: Are you relieved now that the launch was successful?
Answer: Yes. The last few days especially after the initial launch target date was delayed, our team was undergoing severe stress to perform.
Even though, launch delays are a common feature in the satellite industry, as for us we have created much expectation in the minds of all patriotic Sri Lankans about this launch and it was our duty to now make sure that they are not getting frustrated with the delay. However, our engineering worked day and night and it was such a pleasure to finally witness the successful launch at 1813Hrs in Xi Chang – Chinaon on 27 November 2012.
Q: There was a last-minute confusion with regard to the government support on this project. Can you please explain?
A: From the very beginning, we made it very clear to everyone that ours is a 100% private venture. The initiative, the project, the funding and every effort made was totally from the private sector. I have in fact, mentioned in various forums about this project being an example for private sector driven growth in the ‘Post War’ Sri Lanka. The government can only create the environment for the private sector to grow. Thereafter, the private sector must take on. Take the necessary risks, secure the necessary financing, create the necessary international relationships and ensure mega projects of this nature become a reality.
The very fact that people started to think that this is a State funded project shows that people still do not believe that the private sector is either not capable or not keen to venture into such mega projects. This is precisely the thinking which we wanted to change. Being a relatively young enterprise driven by relatively younger people, we have now shown that given the necessary commitment, the private sector too could play a lead role in the country’s economic progress without simply sitting and blaming the government for anything and everything.
Q: So, did the government support you or not? If yes how?
A: The government did support us. Firstly it gave us the necessary investment climate by eliminating a 30-year war. Then it facilitated the corporate structure by way of supporting with tax concessions through the Board of Investment. The President himself was always supportive of Sri Lankan private sector companies, taking the lead role in the nation’s development. So, when I say the government supported, that support is by way of offering us the necessary investment climate, legislation and political stability. Not by way of funding or offering special approvals.
Q: If it is not a government satellite then why did the rocket carry the Sri Lankan flag?
A: This is a widely asked question and unfortunately a question which gives me a lot of pain. I don’t think that any other countrymen ask this same question. The reality is that after spending our own money and effort, we could have painted our company logo or personal names on the rocket. However, we thought as true sons of our nation. We wanted to make our motherland proud. Where ever we get an opportunity to contribute by bringing fame to our nation or national flag, we will not hesitate a minute to seize that.
That is what we did. We wanted every Sri Lankan to share the glory. Every Sri Lankan individual or corporate has the right to our national flag and why would we hesitate to dedicate the glory to our nation and national flag, instead of targeting petty personal or corporate glory?
Q: There were accusations of the launch creating a geopolitical issue, especially with neighbouring India?
A: That is a very childish statement. As a regional business conglomerate, we have steady businesses in India than in any other country. We will never get into any transaction, that will harm the interests of India. Besides the President will never let us use the Sri Lankan soil against the interests of India, whom he considers a true friend of Sri Lanka.
From the very inception of this project, we as responsible corporate citizens have kept India informed of our business. We went to the extent of trying to secure Indian investment for our company and also to get technical assistance from India. On a personal note, I even invited Dr. Abdul Kalam to come in as an Honorary Chairman of our company (An offer he politely declined to accept due to policy reasons). What more could a business enterprise do to ensure that the Indian interests are promptly looked after?
Q: Why did you use the Chinese ‘Orbital Slot’ and not the ‘Sri Lankan’ slot?
A: We have in fact applied to secure the ‘Sri Lankan Orbital Slot’ which is 50 Degrees East. The application is pending with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and it is a process which takes time as very correctly indicated by the Chairman of the TRC.
In the interim, as an active business enterprise, we cannot just sit and wait for the next two years. This is why we seized the opportunity of utilizing the ‘Chinese Orbital Slot’ and the rest is now a proud history.
Again this shows how ignorant our critics were. Who on earth could stop the Chinese using their own slot and placing a satellite? They could have anyway done it with or without our support/involvement. So talking about selling Sri Lankan sky to foreigners is a real joke.
Q: This is a huge amount of money. How have you managed to raise this amount?
A: Good question. It is a must that I clear the doubts in the minds of some individuals about the financing aspect of the project.
Firstly, the US$ 320 Million we are talking about is the investment for our whole project in the next five years. In today’s world, this is not a magic number to sit and worry. First of all, I want every Sri Lankan to believe that such amounts can indeed be raised in the financial world and one need not think that it is only a government which can raise this amount of money.
The first phase – SupremeSAT-I is nearly an US$ 100 Million commitment. This is already arranged by way of supplier’s credit supported by a commercial bridge loan facility. Ours is a private company.. The fact that we have become exclusive partners of many global companies will demonstrate that we are above the rest. We neither depend on the government nor the public to raise the money. The art of raising the necessary financing for our business venture is our commercial capability. No one needs to have undue worries about our ability or performance because that is totally up to us to manage.
Q: How did the involvement of Rohitha Rajapaksa help the project?
A: There is unfair media focus and accusation with regard to his involvement. I am very proud to say that he is such a talented and capable space engineer without whom we would never have made this huge success in such a short span of time. His passion is space. He is qualified. He is dedicated and he is hard working. More than everything he believes that his professional contribution should do good to Sri Lanka. I have no doubt that we make a great team and we will make our country reach greater heights in the very near future.
Q: A few final words about the future?
A: We have worked hard. Come a long way and have created history. The accomplishments have also created high expectations. We will now work much harder to live up to those expectations. What we have demonstrated is just the beginning. We will continue this worthy journey bringing more and more fame and glory to Sri Lanka. Things were not easy for us. We were not given anything on a platter. We fought our way through every single step and ours can be a true case study for any emerging Sri Lankan enterprise who dream big and think global whilst protecting all national interests.COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY