Specialists knowledge will be used to transform Sri Lanka into a technologically advanced country” - Minister Thilanga Sumathipala.“Specialists knowledge will be used to transform Sri Lanka into a technologically advanced country” - Minister Thilanga Sumathipala.
Minister of State Ministry of Technology and Innovation Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala said that the Ministry of Technology and Innovation will utilize the expertise knowledge to transform Sri Lanka into a technologically advanced country.
He made this observation with the blessings of the Maha Sangha this morning. The Minister further said, “For economic development based on technology and innovation, we need to invest in higher education and high tech technology instead of searching of cheap labor. Our own internationally renowned scholars have always point out that investments made at technological development will contribute to future economic expansion and development of this country. Therefore, it is necessary to create technological innovations that can compete in the world market with the knowledge and intelligence of traditional exporters involved with products such as tea, coconut and rubber."
The Minister said that the government's primary goal is to create a technology based society as it is stated in the policy statement of His Excellency the President. The Minister expressed confidence that Colombo will be transformed into the capital of Asia in the near future by investing more in technology and innovations.
Dr. Sarath Gunapala of NASA and former Minister of Science and Technology Professor Tissa Vitharana participated in this special event and in their special speeches stated that they are ready to provide unconditional support and guidance for the next steps towards Technology and Innovation of the Ministry.
In here, Prof. Tissa Vitharana,”In the recent past, some of the world's most advanced technologies have been developed but we have not grasped them as a country. If we are to overcome the present middle income trap and move on to higher income, we need to acquire high technology. High-tech technology products are essential to compete in the highly competitive world market. By using such technologies, we can add more value to our raw materials. We can meet this challenge only when we adopt advanced technologies like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics and mechatronics and develop human resources in those high tech areas.”
In here Professor Sarath Gunapala states,“Countries like Taiwan and South Korea have achieved rapid economic development by investing in human resources, science and technology in a short period of time. This is a great opportunity for Sri Lanka as well. If the future vision of technology and innovation is properly implemented through the use of the same through the Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Sri Lanka's economy will be able to move from being developed to advanced.”
Political representatives, Mr. Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Chinthaka Lokuhetti, former Secretary to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, a large number of scientists, technicians, scholars and artists were present at the occasion.