Economic growth is no longer efficiency-driven, but innovation-driven. Therefore, it is of prime importance to transform new knowledge and discoveries emanating from research into innovative products, processes, services. This is a prerequisite to graduate Sri Lanka from the lower-middle-income status (i.e GNI per capita of > $ 4,045) to high-income status (i.e < $ 12,535).
The Government has stressed the need for strengthening local industries, enterprises and SMEs and promoting exports in a competitive globalized environment for which creating a culture of creativity and innovation is of paramount importance. Against this background, the NSF will effect a series of structural reforms, including establishment of a Division of Technology and Innovation which will interact actively with industry.
In order to accelerate this process and produce the expected outcome, NSF will work closely with Prof. Menik Hettihewa, former Director of the Technology Transfer Office, University of Ruhuna. An initial discussion in this connection was held on 19 August 2020 at NSF followed by an interactive session with its administrative and scientific staff.
