Government Committed to Boosting Innovation and Research with Infrastructure and Financial Support - PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has assured that the Government is fully committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, financial assistance, and institutional support to promote innovation and research in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister made the remarks in Parliament today (August 5) in response to questions raised by Member of Parliament Dr. Janaka Senarathne regarding initiatives to support innovators and strengthen the country's research ecosystem.

Addressing Parliament, Dr. Amarasuriya said universities and state institutions are jointly operating Technology Incubation Centres to encourage entrepreneurship and support the commercialization of new technologies.

The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) has established Technology Incubation Centres at the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC) and the Universities of Jaffna, Rajarata, and Ruhuna. These centres provide assistance in prototype development, product design, business development, and intellectual property management.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the University Linked Incubation Centres project implemented by the Vidatha Division of the Ministry of Science and Technology, which provides small and medium-scale entrepreneurs with technical support, quality testing facilities, training programmes, and business advisory services.

She noted that these centres are currently operating successfully at the Universities of Vavuniya, Ruhuna, and the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, providing technology transfer programmes, quality testing services, and technical guidance to improve product standards.

Financial allocations have been made through the Vidatha Division and the National Quality Infrastructure System to support these initiatives. Plans are also underway to establish similar Technology Incubation Centres at the Uva Wellassa, Rajarata, and Kelaniya Universities.

Explaining government support for innovators, the Prime Minister said the National Innovation Agency (NIA), through its Innovation Voucher Scheme, facilitates partnerships between research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs while providing initial financial assistance.

She added that innovators are also being supported through access to seed funding and venture capital opportunities.

Under the Innovative Biz loan subsidy scheme, the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission works with commercial banks to provide concessionary financing for startups. Following an evaluation process, eligible startups can receive initial capital of up to Rs. 1 million, while measures are being taken to connect innovators with banking sector financing for further investment.

The Prime Minister further stated that the National Research Council (NRC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are conducting industry-focused research to increase exports and support import substitution.

She also revealed that agreements were signed on July 1, 2026, with India's Department of Science and Technology to implement 16 joint research projects and 22 workshops. Steps have also been taken to reduce barriers to accessing international research funding, while a National Technology Transfer Platform is being developed to promote technology exchange.

Concluding her remarks, Dr. Amarasuriya said Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs), established in line with the concept introduced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), continue to provide access to technological information and support the protection of intellectual property rights of innovators.

At present, TISCs have been established in around 25 universities and research institutions across Sri Lanka.