The presentation of certificates and the signing of the associated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the allocation of funds to nine projects selected from proposals submitted during the first three months of this year under the National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC), was held this morning (22), at the Presidential Secretariat.
The total funding allocated for these projects exceeds LKR 227 million and the certificates were presented by Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya.
The financial assistance will be provided by Bank of Ceylon and the agreement was signed today between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Bank of Ceylon’s General Manager & CEO, Mr. Y.A. Jayathilaka. In accordance with the agreement, approved disbursements will be released in installments based on the progress of each applicant’s project as measured against their respective Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The certificates were presented to the following beneficiaries:
1. Vx Safenet – a pioneering digital wellbeing and child-friendly internet platform based on telecommunication networks; certificate awarded to Mr. Theekshana Kumara of Visuamatix (Pvt) Ltd.
2. Volfpack Energy Supercapacitor Project – developed using advanced materials such as Fractal Graphene and Activated Carbon Supercapacitors, certificate awarded to Mr. Sanjeewa Karunaratne of Volfpack Energy (Pvt) Ltd.
3. Cold Brewed Cinnamon Extraction Project – preserving all essential nutrients in cinnamon without harmful chemicals, sugar, or additives, certificate awarded to Mr. Muditha Jayathilaka of Pure Cinnamon Exports (Pvt) Ltd.
4. High-Tech Portable Device for Rapid Coconut Oil Purity Testing – developed by the Aloka Laboratory at the University of Colombo, certificate awarded to Prof. G.K.D.S. Jayaneththi.
5. Samanala Farm Project – showcasing the excellence and innovation of Sri Lankan tea cultivation globally, certificate awarded to Mrs. Pabasara Manthunga of Samanala Farm.
6.AI System (Chatbot) for Sinhala – a natural voice-enabled conversational AI System designed to improve government efficiency and integrate visually impaired communities with the digital world, certificate awarded to Dr. Randil Pushpananda, Department of Computer Science, University of Colombo.
7. Planet’s Pick Holdings Project – producing naturally healthy Kitul-based beverages and fat-free milk as alternatives to sugar-sweetened drinks, certificate awarded to Mr. Kapila Wijesekera on behalf of Planet’s Pick Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.
8. TDR Knitting Project – empowering women in regions like Galagedara, Matale, and Dambulla through export-focused flat-knit technology, certificate awarded to Mrs. Lakmali Wanasinghe of TDR Knitting (Pvt) Ltd.
9. “Magic-grow” soil microbial activator Project – enhancing yield using locally sourced natural microorganisms while minimizing chemical fertilizer use, certificate awarded to Mr. Wasala Siriwardana of Wasala Agro.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, stated that commercializing research findings will introduce a new dimension to Sri Lanka’s economy, making this an exceptional opportunity for both economic and developmental growth. He extended his best wishes to all eligible project beneficiaries.
Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysinghe, highlighted that fourteen institutions under the Ministry are already prepared to provide the necessary support for transforming research concepts into commercialization. Other research institutions under various Ministries, particularly in universities, health, irrigation and agriculture, have given priority in this process.
Thus far, we did not have a proper national policy on research and development. The government plans to present this policy to the Cabinet shortly. In any developed country, a functional research and development policy is an essential element. We are currently strengthening the institutional framework that supports research and development. A thorough study has been conducted on how to implement this policy effectively and we now have a clear understanding of the approach and mechanisms required to operationalize it.
Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa,
Today, we gather at a moment that marks a significant step forward for the country. In implementing the policy of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” greater emphasis has been placed on the fields of research and innovation. This initiative has not been a mere political exercise. Over the past year and a half, we have divided our efforts into 17 key sectors, bringing together Sri Lankans living both domestically and abroad to engage in discussions on research, development, and innovation. As a result of these efforts, the National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC) has been launched under the President’s Office.
One of the major challenges our country faces is the issue of non-communicable diseases. The Ministry of Health annually spends a significant amount to procure the advanced equipment required for the treatment of these conditions. To manage the costs associated with these high-tech devices, it is essential to have mechanisms in place to identify patients at the community level beforehand. This remains an area where we have yet to achieve full capability. Therefore, the research conducted in this domain requires our highest level of support.
Accordingly, it is your responsibility to ensure that the public’s needs in every sector are transformed into practical, research-driven solutions. This work must not continue as fragmented or uncoordinated efforts. The government’s goal is to integrate all these sectors and transform the concept of a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” into a tangible reality.
Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya,
A production-based economy is the central development policy of the current government. Value-added goods and services are essential to this strategy and these can only be developed through research and development (R&D). Recognizing this need, the current President has been actively engaged in promoting R&D even before assuming office, providing consistent and substantial support to these efforts. Today, we gather at a unique and significant moment in this journey.
Under the guidance of the President, we launched the National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC). Despite the volume of research conducted in the country and the potential for commercialization, much of it has not progressed. NIRDC focuses on identifying such research and providing the support necessary to take it to the commercialization stage.
As part of this process, NIRDC provides funding to complete research projects that are near the commercialization stage. Today marks the first phase of this initiative.
There are researchers who, despite completing their studies, are unable to take their findings further. NIRDC works to connect such research with investors. Similarly, some projects face other obstacles despite having funds available and NIRDC intervenes to resolve these issues. These three areas of support funding near-commercialization research, connecting researchers with investors and addressing operational obstacles are unprecedented in Sri Lanka.
During the first round, we received research proposals valued at approximately LKR 2.2 billion. A highly advanced and transparent evaluation process was implemented to select the proposals. This process involves five main components: research and technical evaluation, administrative, financial and commercialization potential assessments. For the technical evaluation, highly independent experts were engaged. Currently, about 200 qualified evaluators from diverse fields are available for this purpose. By removing opportunities for bias in selections, this evaluation process has been conducted with exceptional rigor. The proposals that pass the technical assessment are then submitted for administrative and financial evaluation.
Among these, nine proposals have been selected and are being presented today for funding under NIRDC.
The vote of thanks at this event was delivered by Mr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director General of the National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development.
The occasion was attended by a distinguished gathering, including Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayanta Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Senior Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Secretaries of Ministries, including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, senior civil servants, Vice-Chancellors of universities, heads of research institutions, bank chairpersons and executives, scholars, researchers and academicians. (PMD)