President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for scientific research to be harnessed to improve citizens' lives and strengthen Sri Lanka's economy, proposing new coordination mechanisms across research institutions during a review of the Ministry of Science and Technology's 2026 projects.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed that research and development must serve as a foundation for Sri Lanka's economic advancement and quality of life improvements. Speaking at the Presidential Secretariat on August 5, the President argued that nations capable of effectively utilizing R&D will be better positioned to face future challenges. He emphasized that successful developed economies have built their prosperity on research-driven innovation and that Sri Lanka must follow a similar path to remain competitive internationally.
During a comprehensive review of 14 institutions operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the President proposed establishing a dedicated coordination unit to streamline research funding allocations across multiple ministries. He also called for creating effective systems to make scientific data and information accessible to the public, enabling citizens to apply research findings to improve their livelihoods and income opportunities.
The meeting highlighted several ongoing research initiatives, including projects by the National Engineering Research and Development Centre on elephant fence construction and affordable, eco-friendly building technologies. Officials reported progress on cinnamon-based product research with the University of Ruhuna and Ayurvedic product development, while also addressing challenges in commercializing scientific innovations. The Arthur C. Clarke Institute is developing an AI-powered thermal imaging system to prevent train-elephant collisions, while emerging research areas including astro-tourism and disaster management are being explored.
Key future plans include launching a scientific roadmap for disaster preparedness in October and establishing a technology exchange programme among BIMSTEC member states. The President emphasized the importance of coordinating research activities across different government ministries, particularly agriculture, to ensure innovations translate into practical benefits for citizens.
