Hon. Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. (Mrs.) Sitha Arambepola, visited the Sri Lanka Planetarium, which operates under this Ministry. The Minister said that steps will be taken to develop the Planetarium in line with the latest technology, to create interest in the subject of astronomy in the country and to transform it into an institution that will help in the exploration of new dimensions and new knowledge.

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Dr. Sita Arambepola, Minister of State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Inventions today (24.08.2020) observed the MCPR Chest Compressor Machine, a local innovation that can be used to treat people infected with the Covid 19 virus. The machine was designed by Mr. Dilshan Abeywardena, a final year student of the Medical Faculty of the University of Colombo and was brought under the supervision of the Minister.

During the recent period of rapid spread of the Covid 19 virus infection, about 780 innovations have been created in the country for its control, research and treatment. Mr. Dilshan Abeywardena brought the matter to the attention of Mrs. Sita Arambepola after obtaining the patent for this MCPR machine a few months ago. Mrs. Arambepola pointed out some special features of the machine that need to be improved. Accordingly, in collaboration with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and a panel of professors from the Colombo Medical Faculty, the machine has been upgraded and is currently being commercialized in collaboration with TOS Lanka. Today, the Minister inspected the upgraded MCPR machine and it is noteworthyness as the Minister in charge of Innovation in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Dilshan Abeywardena says that it costs around Rs. 48 lakhs to import such a machine from abroad and that this local machine can be manufactured in Sri Lanka for Rs. 2.5 million. He also said that the encouragement and ingenuity given by Dr. Sita Arambepola to create such a precision commercial machine was of great help to him.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister lauded the development of the machine and said that the present government would continue to provide the necessary support and guidance for such innovations in the future.

Hon. Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. (Mrs.) Sitha Arambepola said that scientific research should be done to identify problems affecting the people and find solutions to them. The Minister said this while participating in an inspection tour of the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) in Malabe recently. During the visit, the Minister paid special attention to the research activities carried out at the institute and the value added products produced through the new research knowledge. The construction of the final phase of the herbal medicine laboratory at the Research Complex under the Chinese-Sri Lanka Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory Project was commenced under the patronage of the Minister.

Speaking further the Hon. Minister said, “Scientists in our research institutes do scientific research with great diligence. It is necessary to examine the extent to which the knowledge gained through such research contributes to the up liftmen of the living standards of the general public and the contribution made to strengthen the economy of the country. The goal of this research should be to provide sustainable solutions to people's problems. ”

"For this, it is important that all research institutes under the Ministry work together in a well-coordinated and mutually understanding manner. This makes it easier to find solutions to common problems through research. I will make arrangements to bring all the research institutes under the Ministry to one table and discuss them. Sharing knowledge between institutions is very important. Sometimes the same kind of research is done in different institutions. Since it is a waste of time and money, I feel it would be effective if any research could be started from one institution and if any other institute wants that research they can continue from where the first institute stop.”

If a product is created through new knowledge discovered through research, it can be commercialized and passed on to the masses.   The Minister also instructed the officials to take necessary steps to create an industrial network by assigning several entrepreneurs.

“Because Sri Lanka is a country rich in valuable medicinal plants, local medicinal plants could be converted to value added products through high technology” chairman of ITI, Dr. Sirimal Premakumara said.

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Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Hon. Minister of State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation stated Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI) requires expanding its services to remote areas of the country and requested the officials of the institute to submit an expeditious report on how to address the policy and strategic issues required for this purpose. The Minister made this observation while participating in an inspection tour of the Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute in Ratmalana yesterday (18.08.2020)

The Minister also spoke on the issues pertaining to the quality of vocational training of the students of the institute as well as the institutional issues and pointed out the importance of expanding such institutes to remote areas as well.

Speaking further the Minister said,

“We have been given a number of clear goals related to skills development and vocational training. Much attention has been paid to this institution. We must achieve those goals. Therefore, this institution will be expanded to remote areas of the country. In particular, the demand for this institution should be increased. For that, we need to focus on attracting young people who are socializing without the skills outside of school.”

The Minister instructed the relevant officials to submit an expeditious report on how to revise and apply certain policy interventions identifying the possible regional disparities and adapting them to the various provinces of the country accordingly.

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