"The Supreme Sat I was launched at 1543 hours local time from Xichang space centre in China's Sichuan province", Vijith Peiris the head of the local promoting group of the launch.
The satellite will be positioned above Sri Lanka in the geo-stationery orbit at 87.5 degrees east approximately 36,000 kms above surface of earth.
The USD 320 million satellite would start functioning from January.
Sri Lanka has thus become the 45th country in the world to launch a communications satellite.
Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son of the Sri Lankan President played a key role in the launch which is a Sri Lanka-China joint venture.
The launch, which was earlier scheduled for November 22 was delayed due to unfavourable weather conditions.
