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The State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation and the State Ministry of Wildlife are working together to find a scientific solution to the long-standing human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka through scientific research. A special discussion in this regard was held recently at the auditorium of the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation with the participation of the Ministers in charge of the subject, Dr. Sita Arambepola and Dr. Wimalaweera Dissanayake.
Under the guidance of Minister Sita Arambepola, the research institutes under the Ministry of Science and Technology have come forward to find solutions to the social problems faced by the general public through scientific research knowledge. Accordingly, discussions were held on the sustainable application of practical scientific solutions to the human-elephant conflict. The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Industrial Technology Institute, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, which are functioning under the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, are already conducting a number of researches in this regard. Successful pilot tests have also been conducted on several occasions. In the future, this research will be further expanded to provide scientific solutions to this problem. Technical support will be sought from the Arthur C. Clark Institute for Modern Technologies and the National Engineering Research and Development Center.
It was stated that the main reason for the arrival of wild elephant to villages is the lack of adequate food and water and if a mechanism is set up for this purpose, they can be confined to wildlife boundaries and thus about 50% of the problem will be solved. The Inventors' Commission and the National Institute of Fundamental Studies are conducting research on the restoration of the Kulu tanks in the forest, the restoration of the old system of feeding the Great Lakes through the Kulu tanks, and the identification and cultivation of fast-growing native grasses to feed the elephants.
Invention supported by the Inventors' Commission, Karuwalagaswewa has developed a high-efficiency hanging fence, an improved fence post that cannot be destroyed by an elephant, and a collar system that provides special signals that can worn the violently damaging elephants. It has also conducted pilot tests in Udawalawe and Ampara. A successful drone technology application has also been developed with the assistance of the Railway Department under the guidance of Mr. Manju Gunawardena to prevent collisions of wild elephants with trains. The Industrial Technology Institute is implementing a communication based project to ensure the safety of the community from wild elephant attacks.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dr. (Mrs.) Sita Arambepola said that it would be easier for the State Ministries of Technology and Innovation, Wildlife, the Wildlife Department, the Forest Department and the Irrigation Department to work together to resolve this issue. She also pointed out that a mechanism should be set up expeditiously to identify areas that should be given priority in finding solutions to this social problem and to implement pilot projects.
Minister of State Ministry of Wild Life, Mr. Wimalaweera Dissanayake stated that efforts are being made to find a solution to a burning issue by resolving financial and legal issues and that he believes that successful results can be achieved through a collective effort.
Secretary to the Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Mr. N. H. M. Chithrananda, Heads of affiliated institutions, officials of wildlife protection and conservation of the Ministry of Wildlife were also present.
Hon. Minister of State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr.(Mrs.) Sita Arambepola participated in an observation tour of one of the leading research institutes in the country in the field of space technology and related work, Arthur C Clark Institute for Modern Technologies. During this visit, she had a lengthy discussion with the officers on the current functioning of the organization and the organizational issues. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the commitment of our scientists is excellent and that in order to reap the benefits, research institute should be managed and well-coordinated. The Minister further stated that she will provide leadership for this.
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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.
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.
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.
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