Wednesday, December 28, 2016

ith the objective of creating objective of directly sending this Wa generation of healthy Sri message to the people, was very Lankans, an edifi cation programme productive and it is expected to was held by the Industrial Technol- hold such edifi cation programmes ogy Institute (ITI) for Public Health island-wide. The State Minister Inspectors. In this programme of Science, Technology and they were edifi ed on the impor- Research Lakshman Seneviratne, tance of identifying molecular the Director General of ITI G.A.S. residue levels of agrochemicals Premakumara and several offi cials and heavy metals hi-tech participated in this occasion. equipment such as LCMS / MS and ICT / MS and the methodologies of running such tests. This programme, initi- ated by the ITI with the

e witnessed through graphs according to a conducting research at that institution. proposal of Prof. Vajira Dissanayake As results of those research projects, Wthat the number of scientifi c he Kaohsiung of Mayurapada Central publications being published annually has been planned for four years. This we have transferred the technology TInternational College, Narammala, won a has gradually increased from 1996 is to cost one billion Rupees. resulting from some research projects Invention & Design Gold Medal for the system- to 2014. Furthermore, those graphs This will be a laboratory operated with for money. Few more are getting Expo (KIDE) atic plaster laying machine showed where we are in the Asian contributions from both State and ready to be transferred. 2016 was held in invented by him and N.M. Zone and the world. I am thankful for private sectors. We got the policy Furthermore, Rs. 950 million has Taiwan from 9 – 11 Shobhan Dhananjaya December. Sri Neththasinghe of Joseph making arrangements through this approval for that from the Cabinet been allocated to my Ministry from Lanka inventors Vaz College, Wennappuwa, budget to increase the fi nancial per- of Ministers. Furthermore, I am this year’s budget. Cabinet approval were directed to won a Bronze Medal for the centage allocated to the Ministry and expecting to obtain the necessary was given to start work at the biology that exhibition modern room switch invent- its affi liated institutions for research land closer to City. Minister laboratory. with the complete ed by him. The selection of this year than last year. of Megapolis and Western Develop- Minister of Science, Technology and sponsorship of the Commissioner of the Sri The laboratory scheduled to be ment Patali Champika Ranawaka has Research Susil Premajayantha made the Lanka Inventors’ Commis- constructed for gene technology agreed to provide the necessary land. these statements at the Presidential Inventors Com- sion Dr. Mahesh Edirisinghe under the patronage of the President Four years ago when Dr. Thissa Vita- Awards for Scientifi c Publications mission and those to the International Panel of inventors were Judges at this international rana was the Minister of this Ministry, Ceremony organized by the National able to win a Gold exhibition was another we were able to launch the Nano- Research Council. Medal and a Bronze signifi cant victory achieved technology Laboratory in Pitipana, Medal. G.K.N.W. by Sri Lanka. Homagama. At present, 24 young Sri Gangodawila, a student Lankan scientists with Doctorates are Continued on page 03… Ministry of Science, Technology and Research To read Vidya as an Paper visit www.dailynews.lk /vidya 2 Wednesday, December 28, 2016

ctober 26th has been declared the Obeen declared as National Inventors’ the national inventors Day honoring him and day by the President lauding his services. Ac- Maithripala Sirisena cordingly, parallel to that and the Minister of date, several programmes Science, Technology were held at the Nelum and Research Susil Pokuna  eatre under the tions Exhibition. Premajayantha. patronage of the President For the rst time  e birthday of the and the Prime Minister. in the history of the late Eng. A.N.S. A commemorative stamp world, the special identity Kulasinghe, who and a rst day cover were card issued to Sri Lankan served as the rst issued and trophies, med- inventors was symboli- Nipayum Diriya’ Grant Commissioner of the als, certi cates and cash cally issued to them un- Scheme Programme, were Sri Lanka Inven- prizes were presented to der the patronage of the presented to those inven- tors Commission, the winners of ‘Sahasak President. Furthermore, tors under the patronage falls on 26th October Nimavum -2016’ National letters relevant to grant- of the President. About and that date has Inventions and Innova- ing nancial, technical 1000 inventors partici- pated in this occasion and For a more e cient service, Telephone – 011 267 6650 and com- o cials of the Ministry the Sri Lanka Inventors Com- Fax – 011 267 6646 mercial assistance of Science, Technology mission has been established Website to inven- and Research and its af- with a new look at No. 46 – 48, www.slic.gov.lk tors under liated institutions also Kotte Road, Borella. Email the ‘Nawa participated. [email protected]

agreement in sities, Open and the near fu- Commercialization ture. covering the whole Several special of the Southern Province centering objectives are on Galle, Matara and Hambantota expected to Districts and Provincial level selec- mong the foremost projects Selection is done with the participa- be achieved at tions to take them to National level is Aorganized by the Sri Lanka tion of an expert panel of judges the signing of the bilateral agreement. scheduled to be held centering on the Inventors Commission, the “Sahasak including university Professors.  e foremost objective is working to University of Ruhuna on 17th and 18th Nimavum’ National Inventions Exhi- Accordingly, marking another special utilize the extensive contribution and of May 2017 . bition and Competition is occupying chapter of the exhibition, the Uni- theoretical knowledge of academic As a further step forward of this a special place not only at local level versity of Ruhuna and the Sri Lanka and non-academic sta and the initiative, it is expected to implement but also at global level. What is so Inventors’ Commission will be jointly student communities of universities this project broadly representing special about this National Exhibition holding the Southern Province New in organizational duties in selecting other Provinces centering the Univer- is that the winners of the competi- Inventions Selection Competition new inventions at Provincial level. In sities in those Provinces. tion are selected from the quali ers of – 2017 with a very strong organi- that, selection of basic new inventions pre-selection rounds held at all nine zational strength.  e two parties under categories Schools, Univer- Provinces covering the whole island. are expected to enter into a bilateral Wednesday, December 28, 2016 3

them to our future generations and encourage more, media should contribute more to dis- them to conduct research. Furthermore, it seminate science, technology and inventions. is expected to build laboratories through fi nan- We have the challenge of creating scientists cial allocations. from this generation and future generations. We were able to sign a Memorandum of The number of students joining the science Understanding with Cuba, leading the world subject stream has decreased. Even though in biotechnology, at the Science, Technol- they obtain nine A’s, the number of students ogy and Inventions Competition held in that joining it is low because of misconceptions country. Out of our scientists, scientists about employment. conducting research on pharmaceuticals were able to participate for three days obtaining knowledge. That is operative in the future too. Furthermore, the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development has agreed to provide another land, extra to the 45-acre land at Homagama. Several private sector compa- nies have got together and are preparing the

Continued from page 01… broadening the fi eld. For example, we were able to get Profes- e have been able to achieve a massive sor Voss of the European Organization for progress in this fi eld during the past W Nuclear Research (CERN) Laboratory to at- 2-3 years, especially not only to conduct tend this Forum. Through that, we got the op- research and issue publications but also to portunity of increasing the number of annual commercialize them. Furthermore, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya is now serving as the Chairman of the National Science & Tech- nology Commission (Nastec). He organized a two-day conference producing the National Research and Development Framework (NRDF) and held discussions on it. scholarships Over 14 institutions affi liated to our Ministry to CERN Laboratory from are connected with research. The necessary two to four from next year. background has been prepared to encour- Furthermore, there is a Professor who has age those researches and produce their new studied at the University of Peradeniya. The inventions connecting the Institute of Fun- background to connect our scientists to the background to establish factories manufactur- damental Studies at Hanthana, the National Chicago University has been prepared with ing pharmaceuticals through biotechnology. These misconceptions must be removed. Engineering Research and Development his assistance. We have sent a team of Necessary plans have made for the coming They need correct understanding. Their Centre (NERD Centre), the national university six Medical Specialists to the Texas Medical three to four years. vision has to be broad. The popularizing of system and other research institutions. Center in the State of Texas with the as- Arrangements are being made to prepare the subjects of science and technology has to Furthermore, we able to organize the sistance of Professors at the University of the background necessary to commercialize start from school level. Science and Technology for Society (STS) Houston on a tour of a few days duration. the inventions of the science and technology “Media is entrusted with a great respon- Forum under the patronage Unbreakable relationships could be made fi eld. The Government has allocated fi ve sibility to achieve this. If two hours a week of the President and the Prime Minister with with a tour of even a few days duration. billion Rupees for that. The challenge is how are reserved for this, we are ready to carry it the participation of about 650 local scientists Through these endeavours we expect teams far can our trade balance go to invest with the out productively,” stated Minister of Science, and expatriate scientists from Sri Lanka. By of our scientists to go to other countries time foreign exchange from traditional exports? Technology and Research Susil Premajayan- now we have built up relationships with them, after time and engage in research with the Today, many countries have won them over tha at the ceremony organized by the National paving the way to send our scientists and scientists there, to bring new technology and through research and inventions. Employ- Research Council regarding Presidential researchers in these fi elds to those countries scientifi c knowledge to our country and give ment, technology and development of science Awards for Scientifi c Publications. and invite lecturers to this country thereby depend on their commercialization. Further- 4 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5  Can you clarify the objec- tive of establishing the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission? The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission gets established in 1979 through an Act of Parliament. The foundation is the need of State intervention for inventors. Accordingly, this is established as a Constitutional Regulatory Body. From the day of establishment to date, our objectives are spread over a wide range of factors such as identifying inventors, encouraging them, establishing an environment conducive to invent new creations and assisting to fi nd the facto0rs necessary to confi rm the intellectual property rights of their inven- tions. In the face of all this, taking problems such as “How are the inventions of inventors integrated into the society? How are they joined to the socio-economic conditions and the culture of the country?” as the most important factors, we are providing the as- sistance needed to introduce inventions as its most important factor through “Nawa Nipayum Diriya” Programme.

 Ac- cordingly, was established according to that Act. The tions by 2020 as per Government expectations are solutions to problems, exploration of scientifi c knowl- tors Commission embarked on a special pro- un- how are tasks entrusted to the Commission through being operated at present under their guidance and edge, developing creativity, developing communica- gramme to establish Young Inventors Clubs based inventors fl agging the Sri Lanka Inventors Act are given in leadership. Accordingly, the SLIC is organizing sev- tions abilities of themselves and seeking avenues of on schools, universities and technical colleges. empowered through “Nawa the Act. eral new projects annually to encourage inventors. commercialization. According to a circular issued by the Ministry of dedication of President Nipayum Diriya”? Inventors are offered guidance to develop their Education in 2006, Grade 1 AB and Grade 1C Maithripala Sirisena When an inventor comes to us with above factors, we intervene to Some of the tasks Going forward with prominence inventions identifying their advantages and disad- schools have been permission to establish Young and the Minister of provide the reports needed to the cor- Providing inventors with fi nancial assis- There are two foremost projects in that endeavour. vantages and Inventors Clubs. Accordingly, Science, Technology and Research Susil rectness of that invention. We also intervene in seeking the tance and the necessary support to obtain They are the ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ National Innova- get inventions’ Young Inventors Clubs have been market necessary for that invention, introducing the invention Dr. Mahesh Edirisinghe Premajayantha is patents, guidance and technical support, tions and Inventions Exhibition and the “Presidential security certifi ed established in about 2000 schools and directing the inventor towards it. If funds are required to Commissioner providing fi nancial assistance for creation, Awards for Inventions.” Not only the new creations through obtain- and they are highly active in about another fortunate oc- issue the invention to the market, we have the ability to grant Sri Lanka Inventors Commission providing commercialization guidance, pro- ing patents 1000 schools. The endeavours currence to Sri Lankan a fi nancial allocation. viding local and overseas market opportuni- through the of Provincial and Zonal Direc- inventors. Here, Our fi nal objective is bringing the inventor to the level of for preparing the environment necessary for him. This year can Youth represent going forward with the invention with the profi ts generated from ties for inventions and providing necessary Exhibition. Not tors of Education, Principals and selecting the birthday be identifi ed as one where Sri Lanka achieved the largest number of world-renowned Eng. marketing it. That is joined with the country’s economy. That of international victories. We have been awarded 23 Gold facilities to take inventing and research forward 43% of the coun- only that, but teachers to make this project a our need. The objective of the present Government is taking our A.N.S. Kulasinghe, the Awards and Medals. We were able to get training membership in are among the main tasks of the SLIC. Among the inventor also success, based on the Commis- country to an economy of inventions as soon as possible. The two international institutions. We got the ability to take our inven- try’s population. The direct fi rst Commissioner of the SLIC’s further tasks, publishing and dissemi- gets the oppor- sion, is extremely laudable. day our export goods can carry the words “Made in Sri Lanka” tors to the international level through obtaining membership in the the Sri Lanka Inven- nating information about research and inventions, contribution of the coun- tunity of becom- Assistant Commissioner Assistant Commissioner with pride is the day we achieve our victory. We provide the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA). We are tors Commission as the necessary assistance to achieve that. providing opportunities for inventors to participate in ing a successful H.M.R. Kiriella Kalpani Rajapakse Guideline to student getting assistance in obtaining free air tickets and registrations. international inventions and research competitions try’s Government Sector entrepreneur by community National Inventors Day Instead of complaining about the lack of money, it is a great  Shouldn’t inventions be appreciated? strength for us to operate. and recommending them for such competitions take “ winning the market through his or her invention. Several pilot projects are being operated to encour- is very special. At the That is very true. With the objective of encouraging our should be given to them to celebrations of the National Other institution is the World Innovation and Intellectual Property the forefront. Another very special and major project carried out age new creations among the student community. inventors, we are holding exhibitions of inventions. Under Inventors Day, guidance Association (WIIPA). Joining this has made it easier for us to get them to contribute to by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission is organ- The new television programme telecast by the Sri the name “Sahasak Nimavum” it is brought not only to the take our name to the international level. Deputy Director Deepika has been given of obtaining Pioneering path izing the Presidential Awards for Inventions that Lanka Rupavahini Corporation in collaboration with Provincial Level, but also to the National Level. We are Kahatapitiya and me as the Commissioner had the opportu- Eng. A.N.S. Kulasinghe was appointed in 1979 as the country’s national presents awards to patented inventions in Agricul- the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission is one such patents. also holding “Presidential Awards for Inventions.” We bring nity of taking Sri Lanka’s name to the international level in two an inventor to the highest level he or she can reach at the fi rst Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Inventors ture, Chemistry, Medical Science and Pharmacol- pilot project. In this programme, inventors from The economy of inventions instances. How that happened was, they accepted as members National Level through the “Sahasak Nimavum National Commission. After him, in 1988, another Sri Lankan development. ogy, National Security, Physics, Public Security schools join the programme in a competitive way, expected in the year 2020 as of the Panels of Judges in two international competitions. Those a country could be only built Inventions and Innovations Exhibition. Here, evalua- two competitions that gave us those opportunities were the 3rd reputed inventor, Ray Wijewardene was appointed and Welfare, Common Industries and Transport producing their new inventions. Prizes are also tion is conducted in four categories namely the Open up through new ideas and novel International Young Inventors Award (IYIA) held in Indonesia and the Commissioner. Then, from 1991, D.L.P. Jay- and modern technological knowledge bequeathed to and other such technological and scientifi c fi elds. awarded to winners. Furthermore, another objec- Category, University and Tertiary Education Category, the Kaohsiung International Invention Innovation & Entrepreneur- creations of trade goods. The athilleke did an immense service to the Commission the country but also the opportunities for inventors The foremost objective of this project is presenting tive of this project is demonstrating the errors and Schools Category and Commercialized Category. ship Exhibition held in Taiwan. We can clearly state that the whole country has to be made If you take the categories except the Schools he creation of new inventions was initiated with as the Commissioner. At present, Dr. C. Mahesh at the Sahasak Nimavum’ National Innovations and the highest honour of the country to inventors who lapses of new creations and providing them with the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission has today built up a name at ready for that. The Sri Lanka Inven- Category, an award of Rs. 750,000/= is presented international level. the objective of supplying a useful item to the Edirisinghe of the Physics Section of the Univer- Inventions Exhibition are countless. Among some have obtained patents each year by the President necessary guidance to take the product forward to T tors Commission is always dedicated for the best invention and the inventor is awarded nation and the country with the inventor’s knowl- sity of Colombo is serving as the Commissioner. of the advantages are reaching new ideas seeking selected by a panel of judges also appointed by the commercialization. That novel programme is open the “Dasis Award.” Going for television reality  What is your message to inventors? Kalpani Raja- President. This year, the Presidential to school children island-wide. “Nawa Nipayum to achieve that. edge. But, later, based on the revenue that could programmes, we launched the reality show Inventors should work with a good understanding of their crea- be earned with patents, the encouragement and pakse and H M R Awards Ceremony relevant to year 2015 Diriya’ is another such special project organized “Innova Minds” from last year for the fi rst time tions, needs and objectives. Furthermore, some inventors invent interest for it were increased. A broad acceptance Kiriella are serv- is scheduled to be held. by the SLIC. Its objective is providing fi nancial, in Sri Lanka. excellent inventions but, as they fail to apply for patent rights, At present, necessary arrangements are be- of inventions in the world’s history was created after ing as Assistant commercial and technical assistance needed for those inventions also expire with their lifetimes. If a patent has ing made to launch “Innova Minds 2017. not been obtained, they should refrain from describing their inven- the empowerment of patents. It was in existence Commissioners. Vigour to youth inventors to commercialize products for which they tions due to lack of knowledge. Creations should be presented from 1449 A.D. but was internationally popular- Several special Youth represent 43% of the country’s have obtained intellectual property rights. Accord- Asela Rathnayake  What is the programme with understanding. We should work to protect the invention’s programmes population. The direct contribution of the ingly, it is important that such inventors relevant to ized after the Paris Convention adopted in Sri Lanka Inventors Commission you have to take Sri Lankan secrecy till the intellectual property rights are secured. We to reach an country’s Government Sector should be 2016 have been identifi ed. 1883. In Sri Lanka also, with the objective of inventions to the interna- endeavor to join these inventions to the country’s economy while achieving the same aim, the approval of the economy of new given to them to get them to contribute Annually, a large number of inventions have tional level? protecting the intellectual property rights of these inventors. Parliament was given to Sri Lanka Inventors inven- to the country’s national development. been introduced to the country through sev- We contribute to the task of taking the Sri Lankan inventor Incentives Act (No. 53 of 1979). The Sri Seeking successful solutions to eral such projects. Declaring October 26th that, the Sri Lanka Inven- as the National Inventors Day through the to the international level as Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) Staff of Sri Lanka Inventors Commission a special boundary in our W.A.S. Nisansala Kumari tasks. We stand always Photo – Gayan Pushpika 6 Wednesday, December 28, 2016

launched Technology Incubation Center (TIC) of SLINTEC, which is located at their Homagama premises. is project evidence the contribution of SLINTEC mulation of a protective nano-coating in e ect on the aesthetics of the  nal prod- for the value addition to local industries rom its inception, Sri Lanka Insti- order to increase the durability and the uct. With this improvement, the retention and to enhance the foreign currency tute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) attractiveness of locally produced footwear time of the print has been increased up to in ow to Sri Lanka. is takingF a key role in contributing for takes prominence. four months of wearing time from the advancement of science and research e project was initiated with the objec- two months of limited wearing time Prof. Nalin de Silva develop- ments in Sri Lanka. tive of developing a method to increase it had earlier. Among their the abrasion resistance of the printed e research phase and the de- latest de- paints on footwear and thereby to increase velopment phases of this project velop- the retention or the durability of prints. was completed and the project has ments, e SLINTEC Scientists were able to de- moved to commercialization stage. the velop a polymer nano composite coating SLINTEC will initiate the  rst for- ful lling the above objective, evidencing commercial production of their expertise in this  eld of research. this “smart coat.” is nanomaterial mixed polymer layer e production acts as a protective coating on the will initially take a paint. However, it does B2B model, where not have any ad- production of verse nanocomposite will be done at the recently

Sri Lankan inventors participated in the Korea International Youth Olympiad 2016 4I and won the Silver Award. e team consisted of students A. Nipun Avishka De Soyza, G. Gamitha Chamod, M.A. Ravishan Vinura Bandara tors’ Commission to win these victories of and A. amindu Dulan- t present, Sri Lankan inventions have excellence was the SLIC being admitted jana Adikari. Sri Lankan youth inventors partici- Bronze Medal for won recognition, not only locally but to the membership of the International his invention of a supple- Aalso globally. Because of that, the Sri Lanka Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) pated in the 3rd International Young Inventors Award (IYIA) held in Indonesia mentary extra vacuum unit for vehicle Inventors’ Commission (SLIC) has been and the World Innovation and Intellectual brake systems and D.S.K. Sandaru Anusha awarded the Collin International Diplomatic Property Association (WIIPA). Because of and at that competition, W. Sanuda Udantha Abeywickrema won the Gold Award for the won a Bronze Award for her invention of a Award of Excellence. e year 2016 was a those memberships, the SLIC was granted easy gas welding unit. golden year for Sri Lankan inventors. An several  nancial relief measures to make the hydraulic pliers invented by him, K.A. Sanju Subodha Sewwandi won the Silver Award for Two inventors participated in the Kaohsi- excellent victory achieved by Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan inventors participate in those ung International Invention Innovation & the Sri Lanka Inventors’ Commission in 2016 international inventors’ exhibitions. What the support for di erently-abled invented by her, Heshan arindu Kalubowila won the Entrepreneurship Exhibition held in Taiwan is that, 27 inventors from Sri Lanka who is so special is that those inventors were able and they were awarded a Gold Medal and a participated in seven international inven- to participate in these exhibitions utilizing a Gold Award for his invention of an instru- ment for deciding the capacity of liquor Bronze Medal for their inventions. Student tions exhibitions were successful in winning minimum of government expenditure. G.K.N.W. Gangodawila of Mayurapada 23 international awards for 25 inventions. e 44th International Exhibition of Inven- ingredients and B. Kasun Shalitha Nishantha won the Silver Award for the multi-purpose Central College, Narammala won the Gold e main reason for the Sri Lanka Inven- tions held in Geneva, Nilan Chathuranga Medal for his invention of a machine for Lokuhettige won the Gold Award for his rain-sensitive instrument invented by him. Furthermore, at the India International In- systematic spreading of mortar and student invention of an arti cial leg, R.N.S.B. N. M. Shohan Dhananjaya Neththasinghe of Hunukumburage won the Gold Award and novation Fair held in Bangalore, India, last September, Dr. Shantha Hettige won the Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa won the the special recommendation of the jury for Bronze Medal for the modern room switch his invention of a machine for removing Silver Award for the drug used in conditions such as dengue fever and W.M.N. Nandana invented by him. Another signi cant victory coconut ekels, Prof. K.K.Y.W. Perera won the achieved by Sri Lanka is the selection of the Silver Award for his invention an automatic Weerasinghe won the Bronze Award for his invention of a KVA Controller. Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Inventors’ ceiling fan controller, K.K.N.P. Kannangara Commission Dr. Mahesh Edirisinghe to the and Manoj S. Other than those awards, L.U. Dhammika and A.G.N.D. Wickremaratne who par- International Panel of Judges at this interna- Hettige won the tional exhibition. Silver Award for ticipated in the 9th annual of International their invention Exhibition of Inventions and the Interna- of a capsule con- tional Forum on Invention and Entre- taining dry pow- preneurship held in Kunshan, China, der for stroke, respectively won the Gold Award for her K.D.S. Anusha invention of new equipment for  tting Wijerathne won of hoses and the Bronze Medal for his the Silver Medal invention of a co ee harvesting machine. for her special- Furthermore, at the Seoul International ized cake mixture and Dr. S.M. Bandara Invention Fair (SIIF) Held in Seoul, won the Bronze Award for his invention of a South Korea, W.N.M. Shamika Indunil special respiratory disease prevention instru- Prasanna won a Bronze Award for his ment. For the  rst time in history, a team of invention of a vehicle starter motor tester, W.L. Charith Parakramage won a Wednesday, December 28, 2016 7

Advice R. Wijialudchumi Secretary Ministry of Science, Technology and Research

H.M.B.C. Herath Additional Secretary (Technical & Research Development)

Renuka Amarasinghe inventiveness ane innovativeness of The objectives of Additional Secretary Sri Lankan Inventors, to encourage (Technology Transfer) and promote inventiveness among organizing this school inventors, to provide op- Nandanie Samarawickrema portunities for commercialization kind of national Additional Secretary of inventions and to stimulate an exhibitions were to evalu- (Administration & Finance) innovative culture in Sri Lanka by getting the attraction of people. “ate inventiveness ane Guidance Sri Lankan inventors who were innovativeness of Sri P.M. Dharmatilake selected through the regional and Director provincial level inventions competi- Lankan Inventors, to (Science and Research tions participated in this national Development) inventions compe- encourage and promote tition under open inventiveness among Himali W.K. Athaudage category, commer- Director – (Technology and cialized inven- school inventors, to pro- International Relations) ahasak tions, university vide opportunities for “SNimavum and tertiary edu- Nazeema Ahamed – 2016” National cational Section commercialization of in- Director (Planning) Inventions and and school cat- Innovations egory. More than ventions and to stimulate Nimali Kulathunga Exhibition is one 320 sri lankan Director (Planning) of the greatest inventors with 287 an innovative culture in events organ- A.K.P. Peiris inventions were Sri Lanka by getting the Chief Accountant ized by Sri Lanka presented in this Inventors Com- national exhibi- attraction of people. Co-editing mission (SLIC) tion under various Mahesh Samarasekera winning invention was a Systematic Biplas- annually to  elds such as (Media Secretary) tering Machine. In addition, 1st, 2nd and 3rd identify the best Agriculture, Food 0112-372288 place winners in each  eld were awarded inventors of Sri Technology, Pub- with valuable certi cates, medals and cash Dhammika Rathnayake Lanka with the lic Safety, Welfare prizes. B.H. Ishara Sudarshani vision of leading nation’s prosperity through and National Defense, Physics, Medicine Sri Lanka Inventions Commission is now (Technology and Research inventions and innovations. is was held and Pharmacy, Environmental Conservation planning to expand Sahasak Nimavum September 22 – 24, 2016, at Sri Lanka Exhi- and etc. Development Division) National Inventions and Innovations Exhibi- bition and Convention Centre (SLECC) for ‘Dasis’ Awards were presented to the best Offi cial Photographs tion as an international event in the near the   h time. is national event was or- inventions in Sahasak Nimavum Exhibition. Dulip Nayanapriya future. ganized for the   h time and it was enriched Dr. M.P.M. ilanka Ratnapala was awarded Ministry Media Unit with the participation of Hon. Minister of the prestigious ‘Dasis’ Award Science, Technology and Research Susil for his invention, Laparoscopic Premajayantha. Knot Applicator. G.K.N.W. e objectives of organizing this kind Gangodawila was entitled for of national exhibitions were to evaluate junior ‘Dasis’ Award. His award Government Relations Dept. Coordination/ Graphics and Creations Supervision Samantha Karunasekera Managing Editor – Government Relations (Lake House) 0112 429297 / 077 3493785 Editor Jayasri Jayakody Creations Danushka Bandara / Ashani Jayawardana Photo Editing Lake House Production Graphic Department Printing Lake House Commercial Press 8 Wednesday, December 28, 2016

 e rst few identity of the Ministry of cards for inventors were Science, Technology presented by President and Research, has Maithripala Sirisena on the made arrangements National Inventors’ Day that th to issue new identity was celebrated on 26 October he history of technology is the their inventions should be prop- cards for inventors.  e contribu- 2016 at the Nelum Pokuna  eatre. Thistory of excellent inventors and erly recognized at present. With that tions of the Minister of Science, Inventors getting this identity card their excellent inventions. Matters foremost objective, for the rst time in Technology and Research to make this have special priority in obtaining pub- being thus, in that history built up of world history, the Sri Lanka Inventors’ endeavour a success, must be specially lic services and obtaining identi ed excellent inventions, inventors and Commission, with the involvement commended. goods and services. GATEWAY FOR SCHOOL INVENTIONS Memories of “Innova Minds – 2016” Are you ready to win the world through your Nationally / Socially / Commercial- ly signi cant invention with “ Innova Minds 2017 ? ”

Conducted by Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Only for inventive students of Grade 9 to A/Ls (Between 13 years to 18 years) in Govern- ment, Semi-Government and International Schools Sri Lanka Inven- tors Commission Invites You to Accept and Face the Challenge Grand winners A special moment

  e application can be downloaded from the SLIC website (www. International victories of inventors slic.gov.lk) or can be physically obtained from the SLIC o ce by visiting during o ce hours.  Please note that the deadline for the receipt of completed ap- plications is 20th January 2017. You are requested to submit your application with all supporting materials under registered cover ad- dressed to Commissioner, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, 46 – 48, Cotta Road, Borella, Colombo 08

 Please mark “Innova Minds – 2017” on the top le hand corner of the envelope. “YIA – 2016” held in Indonesia “KIYO – 2016” held in Korea

Organized by; Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Ministry of Science, Technology and Research Media Partner 46-48, Cotta Road, Borella, Colombo 08 Phone: 0113 144 066 / Fax: 0112 676 646 / email: [email protected]

Printed & Published by The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., at No.35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10 on Wednesday, December 28, 2016