The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Eastern University of Sri Lanka have focused their attention on establishing a Technology Incubation Centre affiliated to the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. A preliminary discussion in this regard was held recently at the Eastern University Technology Park, Batticaloa under the patronage of the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena. This initiative has been launched under the proposed program of the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish a Technology Incubation Center in every state university.

This Technology Incubation Centre equipped with state-of- the- art industrial equipment, will be established with a view to providing research facilities for scientists, researchers, graduates, and trainee  researchers, assisting innovators turn their new ideas into prototypes using design facilities with CAD/CAM and manufacturing facilities with modern CNC machines and  providing support for developing business plans and consultation assistance for intellectual property issues.

The university is primarily focused on conducting research at this center relating to key areas such as nanomaterial synthesis, advanced composite materials, nanoelectronics, food science and technology, agricultural technology, and biomedical applications.

The Minister, expressing his views stated that this technology incubation center will be established within this year under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Minister further remarked that attention has been paid to utilizing these centers  for advanced research and innovation experiments conducted at universities as well as strengthening small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, including the development of agriculture-related businesses targeting regional development.

Accordingly, these centers are also planned to be established with the aim of  providing the right technological knowledge with a view to creating small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, equipping entrepreneurs already engaged in industries with new technological knowledge and elevating them to a higher level and  providing technical advice necessary to produce high quality export-grade products.

This event was attended by Batticaloa District Parliamentarian Kanagasami Prabhu, Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Mohamed Navavi,  Batticaloa District Secretary J.J. Muralitharan, Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University, Professor P. Perathipan along with a group of officials.

Nithya Silva

Media Secretary to the Hon.Minister of Science & Technology 

The Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Chrishantha Abeysena, along with the Secretary, Y.L. Mohamed Nawawi, and key officials from the Ministry, conducted an official visit today to the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), the National Research Council (NRC), and the Planetarium.

The visit aimed to evaluate the institutions' accomplishments, explore their strategic plans for the upcoming years, and understand the challenges they are currently facing.

Discussions during the visit highlighted the vital role these institutions play in driving Sri Lanka's scientific and technological advancements. The Minister emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to addressing the obstacles identified and fostering an environment of innovation and development.

This initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen collaboration with key research and development institutions to accelerate national progress.

In a significant step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s research and development (R&D) landscape, the Ministry of Science and Technology convened a strategic meeting recently, at the Ministry Auditorium. The session, chaired by Hon. Dr. Chrishantha Abeysena, Minister of Science and Technology, brought together representatives from medical faculties of state universities, officials from the Ministry of Health, and key institutions under the Ministry.

The objective of the meeting was to foster deeper collaboration between universities and government R&D institutions to enhance innovation in the medical sector. Discussions covered a wide range of critical topics, including increasing research funding, app development for healthcare, repairing medical equipment, streamlining foreign grant processes, and promoting evidence-based policymaking.

Institutions such as the National Research Council (NRC), Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT), Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology (SLIBTEC), and Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) presented their capacities to support biomedical innovation and invited university partnerships in areas such as patent support, equipment repair, and next-generation sequencing.

Minister Abeysena emphasized the importance of establishing structured platforms for joint research, improved access to grant opportunities, and the need for a national research program aligned with development priorities. He proposed the formation of a joint committee with stakeholders across ministries and academia to streamline foreign research grants and MOU processes.

Plans are also underway to establish a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Unit and an internal Ethics Review Committee.

"This collaboration is not only about science—it is about securing the future health and economic well-being of our nation. Through sustained partnerships and institutional innovation, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected research ecosystem," the Minister stated.

The Ministry pledged to circulate contact details of its affiliated institutions and called for proposals that address institutional bottlenecks, support student innovation, and encourage public-private partnerships in medical technology.

Nithya Silva

Media Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Mr. Y.L. Mohamed Nawawi as the Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The appointment, formally handed over at the Presidential Secretariat by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, marks a strategic step toward advancing technological innovation in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Nawawi is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the government’s ambitious development agenda, focusing on harnessing science and technology for national progress.

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