New National Policy on Research and Development being firmed up

Monday, 30 June 2025 03:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government last week said it has already taken several important steps towards advancing Sri Lanka’s Research and Development (R&D) sector.

Efforts are currently underway to formulate a new National Policy on Research and Development. In support of this initiative, a group of experts comprising both local and international specialists, senior professionals from the public and private sectors, entrepreneurs, and industry veterans has been gathered, including Senior Adviser to the President on Science and Technology Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya and National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) Chairman Prof. Rohan Fernando.

Recognising the importance of incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives to ensure the effective implementation of the new R&D policy, a series of consultative meetings has been scheduled for this week. These sessions are jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat and the Science and Technology Ministry.

The meetings bring together Ministry Secretaries, senior officials from public and private research institutions, members of the academic community, and subject-matter experts from various fields. The aim is to integrate the needs and expectations of all relevant sectors into the National Policy on Research and Development. This new policy seeks to accelerate the commercialisation of innovation in alignment with the Government’s national development vision, thereby fostering social progress and environmental sustainability.