Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is fully committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, financial assistance, and institutional collaboration required to promote innovation and research in Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in Parliament today (August 5) while responding to several questions raised by Member of Parliament Dr. Janaka Senarathne.
Addressing the House, the Prime Minister explained that universities and state institutions are jointly operating Technology Incubation Centres to promote entrepreneurship and the commercialization of technology.
Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) has established Technology Incubation Centres at the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC) and at the Universities of Jaffna, Rajarata, and Ruhuna. These centres provide guidance on prototype development, product design, business development, and intellectual property management.
In addition, through the University Linked Incubation Centres project implemented by the Vidatha Division of the Ministry of Science and Technology, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs are provided with technical assistance, quality testing, training programmes, and business advisory services.
During 2026, these centres have been successfully operating at the Universities of Vavuniya, Ruhuna, and the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, offering quality testing services, technology transfer programmes, and technical advisory services to enhance product quality.
Financial provisions have been allocated for these initiatives through the Vidatha Division and the National Quality Infrastructure System. Similar Technology Incubation Centres are also planned to be established at the Uva Wellassa, Rajarata, and Kelaniya Universities.
Explaining the Government’s efforts to provide concessional capital and other facilities for innovators, the Prime Minister stated that the National Innovation Agency (NIA), through its Innovation Voucher Scheme, promotes collaboration among research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs while providing initial financial assistance.
She further noted that innovators are also supported in gaining access to seed funding and venture capital investment opportunities.
Furthermore, through the Innovative Biz loan subsidy scheme, the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission works with the commercial banking sector to provide capital at concessionary interest rates. Following a formal evaluation process, startups are eligible to receive initial capital of up to Rs. 1 million, while budget proposals have also been prepared to facilitate referrals to the banking sector for additional financing.
Commenting on strengthening collaboration among universities, research institutions, and the private sector, the Prime Minister said that the National Research Council (NRC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are conducting industry-oriented research aimed at increasing exports and promoting import substitution.
Under international cooperation, agreements were signed on 1 July 2026 with the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India to implement 16 joint research projects and 22 workshops. Measures have also been taken to remove barriers to accessing international research funding, while a National Technology Transfer Platform is currently being developed to facilitate technology exchange.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister noted that, in line with the concept introduced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs) have been established since 2014 to provide access to technological information and support the protection of innovators’ intellectual property rights. At present, these centres have been established in approximately 25 universities and research institutions across the country.
Prime Minister’s Media Division