The National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC) recently held a series of discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance Sri Lanka’s research, development, and innovation sectors.
The talks focused on empowering youth through entrepreneurship, especially by supporting start-ups and small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) in science, technology, and research, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
These efforts aim to help such ventures develop into sustainable businesses, the PMD said.
Aligned with the country’s new National Science and Technology Policy, the initiative seeks to position Sri Lanka as a regional hub for science-driven entrepreneurship by fostering partnerships with international stakeholders. NIRDC plans to implement programs that support innovation, youth leadership, and global collaboration.
Participants in the discussions included JICA Chief Representative Kuronuma Kenji and Senior Representative Ide Yuri, ADB Sri Lanka Resident Representative Takafumi Kadono, Professor Lerwen Liu of Nanyang Technological University, and Rajendra Mootha of IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation. NIRDC was represented by its founder and Presidential Advisor on Science and Technology Professor Gomika Udugamasooriya, Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, and Director of Investments Indunil Gunathilake. (Newswire)