Six Storied building constructed in Dambawela, affiliated to the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education Kandy, under the purview of The Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation was vested in the public on 21st January by the Hon.  Thilanga Sumathipala, State Minister of Technology and Innovation.

Prof.(Mrs) Janitha Liyanage appointed as the new chairperson of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science.  (SLAAS) Prof.(Mrs) Janitha Liyanage appointed as the new chairperson of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science.  (SLAAS) The official induction ceremony of the newly appointed chairperson of  SLAAS, Prof. (Mrs) Janitha Liyanage took place recently at Hotel Ramada, Colombo, with the State Minister of Technology and Innovation, Thilanga  Sumathipala presiding over the event. The SLAAS with  a membership of nearly ten thousand,  is the apex organisation of all Sri Lankan scientists, and Prof.(Mrs) Janitha Liyanage is the 79th Chairperson of the association.  This event was attended by Mr. Chinthaka Lokuhetti, Secretary to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation, prof. Tuley de Silva, Chancellor of the University of Wayamba, Members of SLAAS, Scientists and government officers.

The newly appointed Chairperson of the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), the apex policy formulating and advisory body on science and technology matters, functioning  under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Prof.(Mrs.) Shanika Hirimburagama assumed duties, today (16th) amid Pirith chanting of maha sangha. This event was attended by the Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala, Hon. State Minister of Technology and Innovation, Mr. S. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr.Chinthaka Lokuhetti, Secretary to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation, University Professors, Scientists and government officials. Prof. (Mrs.) Hirimburagama who previously held the post of Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and Chairperson of University Grants Commission has made significant contributions towards the advancement of the S & T sectorThe newly appointed Chairperson of the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), the apex policy formulating and advisory body on science and technology matters, functioning  under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Prof.(Mrs.) Shanika Hirimburagama assumed duties, today (16th) amid Pirith chanting of maha sangha. This event was attended by the Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala, Hon. State Minister of Technology and Innovation, Mr. S. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr.Chinthaka Lokuhetti, Secretary to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation, University Professors, Scientists and government officials. Prof. (Mrs.) Hirimburagama who previously held the post of Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and Chairperson of University Grants Commission has made significant contributions towards the advancement of the S & T sector.

The State Minister of Technology and Innovation gave instructions to the relevant officials to expedite the process of setting up a Timber Designing Innovation Centre (TDIC) and Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC), an initiative envisaged to add value to the Sri Lankan timber industry and being implemented on cabinet approval.

The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) functioning under the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa and University of Sri Jayawardenapura, are assigned the task of setting up these two timber innovation centers.

Once these two innovation centers begin operations, the country will be given the opportunity of introducing timber based innovation designs to the high end global export market with these centres operating as fully fledged timber innovation centers in future.

Through the successful operation of this centres, the Ministry expects to accomplish the long-term outcomes such as establishing the Moratuwa area as a  region of excellence in timber product designs, upscale and redefine small timber manufacturers in Sri Lanka, capacity building through trainings, knowledge and technology transferring, job creation in timber industry creating a unique branding identified for Sri Lankan timber designs and protecting it through intellectual property, enhancing high-end export market opportunities for Sri Lankan timber and timber based products, increasing  the GDP contribution of timber and timber based products, and increasing innovative timber exports targeting economic growth.

Ensuring the successful implementation of the project a tripartite MOU was entered into between University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayawardanapura and COSTI functioning under the Ministry of Technology and Innovation. Funds have been handed over to the respective Universities to undertake relative activities identified for implementation under TPIC and TDIC in the plan of action of the ministry.

University of Sri J’pura is in the process of conducting 4 researches on timber process innovation under TPIC and ready to launch an online platform for all levels of timber industrialists. ­­­­­­­­­­

Parallel to this initiative, cabinet approval has been granted for Sri Lanka to secure membership of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).