VOLUME 33 | ISSUE 2/2020
Innovation Taking Sri Lanka to the Next Level 2 • DECEMBER 2020 | EXPLORE SRI LANKA exploresrilanka.lk INNOVATION 1
WELCOME
Ayubowan!
The word ‘Innovation’ literally means a new idea, which is then transformed through various processes into reality. The theme of this issue of Business Lanka is ‘Innovation’, which focuses on the many industries in Sri Lanka that are constantly innovating to introduce novel products to the market.
Innovation: Taking Sri Lanka to Innovation is essential to a developing economy such as Sri Lanka where new the Next Level products and services need to be introduced to make the country a global player. Innovation is a priority in Furthermore, at a time when the entire world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the development journey new thinking is necessary to face the challenges brought about by the current of Sri Lanka, where solutions must be provided and demand situation. As we adapt to the ‘New Normal’, we will need to find new ways of created for Sri Lankan creations. performing tasks that were part of day to day life. Business Lanka is published by Sri Lanka Export Development Board With innovation, entrepreneurship is inculcated and many cumulate into start-ups. All rights reserved. There are various types of innovation mechanisms, at times these are developed Copyright © 2020. in research and development units of large organizations, where innovation is inherent to their culture. Others could be at university level or specialized Direction Chitranjali Dissanayake institutions as well as individuals who develop new ideas. S R P Indrakeerthi Hon Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Trade, and former Minister of Higher Project Coordinators Upul Galappaththi Education, Technology and Innovations, in an interview with Business Lanka, Asela Gunawardena discusses areas related to innovation and exports, where he says there is great potential in the e-commerce and ICT sectors. Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, Circulation Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, University Business Linkage Center such as Gayani Nadeeshani at the University of Moratuwa, and Venture Frontier Lanka provide dynamic spaces for innovations. Prof Rangika Halwatura, Commissioner, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission stresses on the need to create demand within Sri Lanka for locally Design and Production invented and manufactured products. SLINTEC’s public-private partnership BT Options puts the organization in a unique position with Government stability and 20-2/1, Lauries Place private sector market access and orientation. The article features many of the Colombo 4, Sri Lanka institute’s current innovations. The University Business Linkage Cell (UBLC) General : (+94) 112 597 991 Fax : (+94) 112 597 990 at the University of Moratuwa was established to nurture startups to their full E-mail : [email protected] potential by providing the necessary facilities, guidance, and expertise. Prof Rohan Web : btoptions.com Munasinghe, Director, UBLC speaks on the many activities completed thus far. Venture Frontier Lanka aims to grow the number of and quality of startups and aspiring entrepreneurs and is focused on being a partner to every aspiring Sri Lankan entrepreneur seeking to scale their venture nationally and globally. In Sri Lanka many private sector organizations in the agriculture, manufacturing, and IT & digital spheres engage in innovations. GRI, Ceylon Graphene Technology, Bio Foods, HDDES, Arimac and LiveRoom, explain the manner in which innovation is inherent to their respective organizations, which enables continuous growth.
The extensive reading material enclosed in this issue of Business Lanka will provide an insightful look at the innovation sphere in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board 2 Business Lanka
Contents
04 Fostering innovation in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade, Hon Bandula Gunawardena, is a veteran political leader in the island. He is now the minister who is responsible for promotion of Sri Lanka’s exports. The interview with the minister focuses on matters primarily related to innovation and exports.
10 The Importance of focusing on real issues The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission provides the platform for inventors to create new ideas and generate innovations that would fulfill the requirements of society.
14 Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology: A catalyst for science and technology innovation in Sri Lanka SLINTEC’s public-private partnership puts the organization in a unique position with Government stability and private sector market access and orientation. SLINTEC’s R&D activities are also in line with the present National Policy Framework of the Government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’.
Nurturing innovation and startups 20 The University Business Linkage Cell (UBLC) at the University of Moratuwa was established to nurture startups to their full potential by providing the necessary facilities, guidance, and expertise. Many new products and ventures have been developed in a short span of time under the guidance and supervision of a professional network.
24 Venture Frontier Lanka Venture Frontier Lanka aims to grow the number of and quality of startups and aspiring entrepreneurs and is focused on being a partner to every aspiring Sri Lankan entrepreneur seeking to scale their venture nationally and globally.
27 GRI: Innovation with agility and adaptability Manufacturing high-performance agriculture, construction and material handling tires, GRI is a leading producer of specialty tires in Sri Lanka with primary markets in Europe and USA. INNOVATION 3
30 Ceylon Graphene Technologies: Converting Graphite to Graphene Ceylone Graphene Technologies is a joint venture between LOLC Group and SLINTEC. With a US patent for the technology to convert Graphite to Graphene, CGT is producing a high value addition, which is Graphene and its associated products for the export market.
33 LiveRoom: Creating the new normal for business Specializing in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Computer Graphics Solutions with a focus on 3D, LiveRoom has created their own platform solution, OGMO, which brings augmented reality to any e-commerce platform.
36 Bio foods: Organic, bio dynamic and Fairtrade Built on the foundational values of sustainability, traceability, reliability and food security, Bio Foods has been able to provide customers all around the world with truly organic and sustainable food products for nearly three decades.
40 HDDES: Innovation in natural essences Using methods of steam distillation and solvent extraction, HDDES is one of the few companies that specializes in organic and conventional spices, essential oils, oleoresins, herbal extracts, floral extracts, hydrolates, natural aromatic chemicals, coconut based products and instant tea.
44 Arimac: Blending creativity with technology The Arimac family with their trademark digital disruption has revolutionized the corporate digital landscape of Asia through the transformational uplifting of the digital standards of many multinationals and blue chips for nearly a decade.
48 Go Deeper: Quality Quality is essential in any industry, whether it be agriculture, manufacturing or services. It is the measure in which a consumer/client determines whether to proceed with a certain product or not. 4 Business Lanka
DUMMY TEXT
Hon Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Trade. INNOVATION 5
EXPORT AND INNOVATION
Fostering innovation in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade, Hon Bandula Gunawardena, is a veteran political leader in the island. He is now the minister who is responsible for promotion of Sri Lanka’s exports. Gunawardena was first elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1989. A man of bold and creative ideas, he created a paradigm shift in the education system of Sri Lanka by introducing the technology stream to the nation’s school curriculum when he was the Minister of Education from 2010 to 2014. Prior to Sri Lanka’s General Election last August, Gunawardena was the Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovations. The Business Lanka was fortunate to obtain an interview from him on matters primarily related to innovation and exports.
Are you satisfied with the supply chain is broken. Airlines are performance of Sri Lanka’s grounded while ships are docked exports during the first nine in ports. Due to travel restrictions, months of this year amidst this the tourism industry has been challenging environment due to confined to hotels devoid of guests. COVID-19? A crisis of this kind had never Firstly, I must say that what we occurred for the world. Therefore, are now witnessing is a very novel export income has increased only experience. The global economy in areas where transactions are had not contracted before to such a carried out in digital platforms great extent like at the moment due such as e-commerce. Under to a pandemic in the human history. such an unfavorable global More than 46 million people have environment, I am extremely been infected while 1.2 million have pleased about our exporters died due to the pandemic. In the because they have tried to venture USA alone, deaths due to COVID-19 into market diversification, product total more than 200,000 and the diversification, and products with number of casualties in Brazil and unique and innovative features India are alarmingly high. Factories during this crisis period. As those have been closed. The global efforts have brought some success, 6 Business Lanka
the merchandize export income USD five billion, as the ICT-related has remained close to USD one professions and industries have billion during the last few months. been exempted from income tax by Although we cannot expect a huge our Government. We have to send progress in exports during this year, skilled laborers abroad and by doing I think it is possible to achieve USD so we can generate a substantially 15-billion exports next year. It would higher amount of earnings even be a realistic target if the tourism though the number of workers we industry can be restarted in 2021. may send is small. There is a huge Compared to other countries, Sri requirement for skilled workers Lanka has managed the COVID-19 worldwide. For example, we should situation very well. look to send workers for jobs in Japan by training people in nursing What are the Government’s plans and caretaking and making them to diversify Sri Lanka’s export fluent in Japanese language in basket? addition to sending Montessori and There are many modes to kindergarten teachers for overseas diversify our export basket. There is jobs. Children and elders form a tremendous potential to increase two main segments of societies the export income generated via in developed countries. I believe ICT and software-related exports, there is a huge scope for us to which is now at USD one billion to train our people for vocations that INNOVATION 7
satisfy the requirements of The National Intellectual those two age groups and earn Property Office (NIPO) – which a significant foreign exchange. issues patent licenses – comes With regard to agriculture, under the purview of my instead of sending raw materials, ministry, and it is one of the key we need to export value-added Government institutes, which products. Take coconuts, without foster innovation in Sri Lanka. Few sending coconut nuts, attempts weeks ago, I submitted a cabinet must be made to send coconut paper and obtained approval to water and virgin coconut oil. amend the existing Intellectual Recently, the Sri Lanka Institute Property Act to enable us to of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) obtain Geographical Indication with a private sector partner (GI) certification for Ceylon embarked on a project to convert Cinnamon, Ceylon Pepper, Ceylon graphite into graphene. Graphene Coconut, and other agricultural has the capacity to store energy products. The Government also for a long duration, and SLINTEC provides financial incentives to has built Lead Acid Batteries by inventors through the Sri Lanka making use of graphene. Those Inventors Commission. Compared are the type of things we should to other countries, our country’s do more to diversify our export focus towards innovation is not basket. Given that our country ideal. Due to the exam-centered education system in our country, the motivation of our students for innovation is somewhat limited. However, when I was the Minister Compared to other countries, our country’s of Education, I introduced the focus towards innovation is not ideal. Due to the technology stream to the school curriculum. As a result of it, exam-centered education system in our country, students are now learning about the motivation of our students for innovation Engineering Technology, Bio- is somewhat limited. However, when I was the systems Technology, and Science for technology. Unlike in our days, Minister of Education, I introduced technology there are Technology faculties in stream to the school curriculum. universities. As students in those faculties have liberated themselves from the exam-centered education system and focus more on practical activities, innovations has a long association with could flourish in the future. ayurveda, ayurvedic and herbal Furthermore, we are expanding the treatments and products must activities of SLINTEC, the premier be vigorously promoted in order nano and advanced technology to target high-end markets like research institute in Sri Lanka, Germany. Although Sri Lanka which was established under the is an island nation, we have not Government of former President yet exploited the benefits of our Mahinda Rajapaksa. The National ocean resources. There is a great Institute of Fundamental Studies, demand for Sea Cucumber, and another Government research it is a high-value commodity that institute, undertakes research we must look to exploit. Likewise, and experiments at the university so many avenues are available to level. Hence, I believe there is a diversify our export basket. renewed enthusiasm and vigor for innovations at the moment What is this Government’s compared to earlier. I must also vision towards promoting mention that it is necessary for innovation in Sri Lanka? the mass media to provide more 8 Business Lanka
coverage on innovations in order hoping that in the future, we to create an interest among the would be able to make use of public for innovations. the money in the EDF to carry out R&D activities pertaining to How does the Government exports-related industries. intend to increase investments in research and development You were the Minister of (R&D)? Innovations prior to the recently Government budgetary concluded Parliamentary allocations towards R&D election. Could you describe us are not sufficient. In order to the initiatives you undertook address this constraint, I have with regard to innovations requested for the allocation of during that time period? funds collected from CESS taxes It was during the time when through imports and exports to I was the Minister in charge of exports-related research. Funds Innovation, that the COVID-19 collected via CESS taxes have crisis emerged. At that time, to be transferred to the Export school students, university Development Fund (EDF). I am undergraduates, and doctors INNOVATION 9
came up with so many COVID-19 To be honest, I am not satisfied related inventions. I together with the level of interaction that with the Sri Lanka Inventors exists between the university system Commission helped find investors and the private sector in respect of to launch those products. Some of R&D when compared to universities them were successful, and I hope in other countries. Universities have that momentum would continue now begun to send undergraduates into the future as well. to private companies for internship and training for a year or six One of the complaints we hear months. This should be expanded from new inventors is that even further. It is the private they face numerous hurdles in sector, which contributes most to obtaining patent licences for the national production, and the their products. How do you plan university system is responsible to resolve this issue? for creating graduates who match New inventors in this country the requirements of the private must understand that granting sector. Our university system must patent licences is a very long and undergo a paradigm shift, and they arduous process, as NIPO has to must equip graduates in English follow internationally recognized and IT. We need to learn from the conventions and practices. We education systems in countries such as Finland and Japan.
What are the Government’s intended strategies to increase the number of graduates from Science, Technology, I feel that we could recover in two years provided Engineering, and Mathematics this pandemic is brought under control. But as I said disciplines? earlier, making forecasts is somewhat impractical The Government has a number of plans in that regard. It is essential under this present scenario. for parents and teachers to undergo changes in terms of attitudes if we are to forge ahead in innovation as a country. Nations such as Japan and South Korea achieved tremendous progress in exports need to be cognizant of the due to the high emphasis they have fact that what is an invention placed on innovation and research locally might not necessarily be and development. an invention internationally. To establish whether some product How do you forecast the is actually a new invention, it has performance of our economy in to be determined that particular the foreseeable future? invention had not been done Well! It is impossible to make anywhere else in the world. The projections about the economy Government is also planning under a chaotic environment, which to strengthen the Intellectual we are going through currently. Property Act to safeguard The World Bank had said that it proprietary rights in order to would take five years for the global attract foreign investors. economy to return to normalcy. Nevertheless, I feel that we could Are you satisfied with the recover in two years provided level of interaction that exists this pandemic is brought under between universities and control. But as I said earlier, making the private sector related to forecasts is somewhat impractical innovations? under this present scenario. 10 Business Lanka
NOVEL PRODUCTS
The importance of focusing on real issues
The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission provides the platform for inventors to create new ideas and generate innovations that would fulfill the requirements of society. From concept to commercialization, the Commission provides support every step of the way. There is a need to create demand within Sri Lanka for locally invented and manufactured products and the Commission has taken the steps to address this gap.
Difference between an to the consumer. It is a process invention and an innovation where many people are involved. An There is a difference between innovation is where you basically an invention, innovation and a start from the invention and build up redesigned object/product or until it reaches the business world. a reproduction. An invention The Inventors Commission of is something that has been Sri Lanka provides support to this created for the first time in the process from the seed, that is from world, where there has been the idea for the invention, which no common knowledge on the is then converted to an innovation invention and a person can claim and thereafter commercialization. intellectual property rights for the When an idea is converted to an creation and obtain a patent. A invention research has to be done. reproduction is where someone Once you have applied and received owns the knowledge, and the the patent, the invention needs to be product is manufactured with minor tested and developed. The Inventors modifications. For example, during Commission supports inventors to the COVID-19 situation, we were link up with various people as well as required to produce certain items funding sources. within Sri Lanka because imports were Demand for Innovations restricted or else the same product There is a vacuum in the demand could be modified and reproduced. for local products. Thus, even An innovation is entirely different though inventions and innovations from these two entities. An invention are created there is a gap in the may be a very basic level idea. From innovation ecosystem because the invention to innovation there is a Sri Lankan consumer is not geared large process, where one needs to purchase Sri Lankan products. If to think about making a prototype, there is no demand in the market, Prof Rangika Halwatura, Commissioner scaling up, developing a marketing then no one will invest in inventions. Sri Lanka Inventors Commission. process and taking the product An investor will always first look at INNOVATION 11
The fence developed by the community together with the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission to address the human-wildlife conflict.
the return on investment (ROI) before The Inventors Commission is looking at committing any funds. Sri Lankan universities and schools have good introducing a brand for Sri Lankan invented inventors but since we do not have a products so that interest is created within society strong innovation ecosystem many for local products. do not reach their full potential. Sri Lanka needs to develop a sustainable system in the country to create demand for our products. Furthermore, in most instances people do not know that they are community. That is if an inventor together by creating a Sri Lankan innovative or inventive and thus focuses on fulfilling a gap, then the brand to market the product and they do not apply for a patent for consumer will come automatically create a demand in the country. the new knowledge they have and further promotion would not be And, providing the real issues to the created. Then it becomes common necessary. For example, if the drug inventors so that they can find the knowledge. Lack of information to cure COVID-19 is found, it will solutions. in the country on innovation, be required not only by the people intellectual property rights, patents of this country but the entire world. New Approach for Inventions and commercialization results in When an inventor does not create to We had a very general approach many inventions not appearing in address a need, then it is difficult to to inventions until this year, where the public domain. As there is a lack promote that product. Therefore, it is we held exhibitions and screenings. of demand you cannot convert an essential to identify the community We had to change our system as a invention into an innovation. issues that need solutions in the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Inventors Commission is country. This is a challenge and the We started with pandemic related looking at introducing a brand for responsibility does not lie solely inventions. We received about 400 Sri Lankan invented products so that with the inventors. They need to inventions, which is a very large interest is created within society for be provided with the required number and we conducted the initial local products. information. screenings. We checked the level of While Sri Lankan inventors are There are two strings on either development and also the real need creative they are not addressing side of the inventor that are broken or use of that particular invention. any particular requirement of the already. We are trying to link them Based on that we selected inventions 12 Business Lanka
New innovations were introduced to fight the COVID-19 pandemic by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission in the presence of Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at the Gangaramaya Temple. Hon Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Trade, Prof Rangika Halwatura, Commissioner, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission and Ven Kirinde Assaji Thero are also in the photograph.
and conducted further screening focusing on one industry per year community, which is very important. to reach about 150 inventions. Out and touch on the entire process. In order for us to take an invention of this we sponsored and assisted For example, this year we focused to the innovation level, we need 40-50 inventions. We built prototypes on the tea industry and categorized the support of various types of and we supported them in the the whole tea industry from land organizations. commercialization process as well. preparation to value-added tea. Invention is not about technology, About two percent of the inventions We identified ten segments. Next nor science. There are many will enter the industry. That is the year, we will be focusing on another inventions happening in all fields, practice in the world. If you can industry. It is a very slow process, whether it be social, political, focus on actual issues, then we can but there is a high impact on the science, or engineering. There is no tailor make solutions and take them work that we do. age barrier, no knowledge barrier to the community. We work very closely with the or a particular field for invention or One such successful story was private and the state sectors. While innovation. the work we did to mitigate the the Inventors Commission comes situation with regards to the wildlife under the purview of the State Younger generation of and human conflict. We focused on Ministry of Skills Development, inventors the real issue and we requested the Vocational Education, Research An inventor has to go to the community to provide solutions. We and Innovation, we work with all field and to the community. It is my conducted screenings, funded the ministries as well as all public and belief that village students are more prototyping and thereafter did the private institutions. Every sector creative than city students. City field testing. We tried 11 inventions in the country needs innovation students are restricted to their time and all were successful. for their processes. Therefore, we table and do not have as much social We are now proceeding with a link with the private sector and the exposure. When such an inventor tailor-made approach. We will be state sector and we work with the goes into the community they would INNOVATION 13
Low cost open source ventilator. New innovations to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The semi automated telepresence robot is used to provide treatment for COVID-19 patients.
not be able to gather the issues students to get their social exposure suitable initiative to enhance the or requirements of the society. An and for them to understand their creativity. inventor should go into society, and social responsibility. We link with Through these mechanisms, into nature if they really want to the university students and we have the students will interact with the become an inventor. many volunteers. They link with the Inventors Commission, and that At the Inventors Commission, we Inventors Commission and conduct interaction is very important. There are currently focusing on the school online seminars and create YouTube is a huge knowledge gap in the level and forming school inventor’s videos. community because they do not know clubs. The idea is to allow students I have converted my office where they should go for information. to create their ideas. We are linking into a mini studio, where we have We are linking schools with the up schools with industry businesses created an idea incubator. University industry, as well as with the university as their CSR projects. The students, staff or even school students. Through this process we businesses will fund the students children can form teams, and start are aiming to strengthen the pyramid to develop their facility, and provide working together to discuss their of social responsibility. them with training. In most instances ideas, it is not research. village schools do not have access For the first time in the history, to knowledge. For example, robotics a Memorandum of Understanding is a very alien subject for them. (MoU) was signed between Sri Thus, we are trying to provide the Lanka Inventors Commission and knowledge and facilities to them. Ministry of Education to create an Another approach that we are innovative culture among school looking at is encouraging university students irrespective of their Prof Rangika Halwatura, Commissioner students to teach school children. discipline by introducing a set of Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Thereby we want the university activities, competitions or any other 14 Business Lanka
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology: A catalyst for science and technology innovation in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) is the first public-private partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka (The Ministry of Science, Technology and Research) and private sector institutes consisting Brandix Lanka, Browns, Camso Loadstar, Dialog Axiata, Hayleys, Lankem Ceylon, LOLC and MAS Holdings and came into existence in 2009. SLINTEC’s public-private partnership puts the organization in a unique position with Government stability and private sector market access and orientation.
he company is engaged These areas were selected upon in scientific research and careful consideration of macro trends, Tdevelopment in the fields of local and international trends and nano and advanced technologies. SLINTEC’s core competencies. It aims to develop products and SLINTEC focuses on both services, that benefit the economy market demand-driven research while optimizing the use of natural targeting commercialization and and human resources available in the public good research to uplift the country. SLINTEC’s R&D activities are social, environmental and economic also in line with the present National conditions of Sri Lanka. Policy Framework of the Government - “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor Innovation, the need of the (Saubhagyaye Dekma)”. hour… SLINTEC’s research is primarily In the increasingly competitive focused on six areas, namely: global economy, science and advanced materials, smart textiles, technology is an important strategic advanced agriculture, graphene driver to achieve balanced national technologies, energy research as well development through innovation. It as process and engineering systems. is therefore imperative that a strong INNOVATION 15
SLINTEC Nanotechnology and Science Park premises in Homagama.
commitment is made to harness GRAPHENE TECHNOLOGY addition from Graphite to Graphene the potential of science and is significant. CGTL has a current technology as a key driver in raising Commercial-scale Graphene capacity of supplying 1.8 tons per the national capacity to acquire Production year and it will be extended to four and utilize knowledge, to foster SLINTEC was a pioneer in tons per year. innovations and simultaneously producing Graphene from local Graphene is currently being ensure economic development Graphite. SLINTEC’s research used in many industries including and human welfare. The way to do success in developing a method automotive, battery, electronics, so is to accumulate a critical mass for exfoliation of Graphene led to and construction. SLINTEC has also of a science and technology base the commercialization of the said ventured in to new Graphene-based within the country. Such a base research through a joint venture applications. will generate new innovations, with a private sector partner. Ceylon which are the seeds for future Graphene Technologies (CGTL) was a Lead-acid Graphene battery economic growth and SLINTEC as successful spinoff of SLINTEC adding Graphene-based, Lead-acid an institute has accomplished that value to local mineral Graphite. CGTL battery is a product developed target. In recent times, SLINTEC is involved in producing Graphene together with Associated Battery has developed several innovative through an exfoliation procedure Manufacturers’ (ABM) Exide Battery. solutions for the betterment of developed in-house from research This graphene-based battery is a Sri Lanka. conducted at SLINTEC. Value 40 percent improvement in charge 16 Business Lanka
“SLINTEC is the catalyst for current research and innovation culture in Sri Lanka. We thrive to increase Sri Lanka’s high- tech exports by more than one percent by supporting local industries with cutting-edge research”
Graphene-enhanced battery prototype.
Heminda Jayaweera, Chief Operating Officer (SLINTEC), Eisenhower Fellow.
Sri Lankan Graphite.
acceptance (ability of a battery to accept and store energy in a given time, temperature and state- of-charge) having significant life- cycle improvement, which directly improves the life of the battery. Furthermore, Graphene reduces water loss by about 35 percent. Water loss is a major drawback in current Lead acid batteries, which results in reduced battery life. Graphene also improves overcharge endurance. The product will be introduced to the Sri Lankan market by early 2021.
Smart-mask sensor SLINTEC in collaboration with CirQ technologies have developed a Graphene-based respiratory Smart mask sensor mock-up. detention sensor, which can be INNOVATION 17
“One of the key lessons in the economic development of successful nations during the past two decades has been the pivotal role of innovation in economic growth dynamics. Building SLINTEC Swabs: the national innovation Nylon flock swabs for nasopharyngeal and capacities including the throat sputum collection. knowledge/research base in key areas is crucial if our firms are to compete globally in technologically intensive markets. Fostering active collaboration between universities, R&D institutes and industry is therefore important if we are to translate research results to economic returns. LAMP-PCR kit prototype. However, this requires not only active collaboration between them but also effective mechanisms and instruments to lubricate SLINTEC science team their collaborative efforts. headed by Dr Sanjaya Bathige and University Hence, institutions such of Sri Jayewardenepura as the EDB can and should science team led by Prof Neelika Malavige play a pro-active role by involved with the introducing both financial development of LAMP and non-financial systems PCR kit. and instruments that are required for such vibrant integrated to any face mask in Lady Ridgeway Hospital and High collaborations among the order to enable users to detect Fashion Holding Sri Lanka. SLINTEC key stakeholders of the the face mask life, mask fit and has also obtained NMRA approval innovation ecosystem.” respiratory behavior. Hirdaramani for swabs. Thus far, over 100,000 of Group partnered with SLINTEC these sample collection kits, each to commercialize this technology containing a nasopharyngeal swab by integrating the sensor to their and a throat swab, have been made products. This marks the very first and handed over for the fight against high-tech value addition to face COVID-19 in Sri Lanka at a time masks undertaken by a Sri Lankan where Sri Lanka had limited stocks. apparel manufacturer. The innovation has saved at least 55 million rupees for the country as an COMBATING COVID-19 import replacement.
Dr Azeez M Mubarak, Swabs LAMP-PCR Chief of Research and SLINTEC was able to reverse In an effort to increase the Innovation (SLINTEC). engineer COVID-19 testing sample diagnostic capacity for COVID-19 collection swabs and have been virus in the country, SLINTEC rapidly producing them in collaboration with repurposed its staff and facilities in the Medical Research Institute (MRI), late March 2020 to develop cost- 18 Business Lanka
SLINTEC scientists and technicians treating office spaces with the antimicrobial coating.
“We envisioned to carry out high-tech research, which would ultimately help Sri Lankan industries to compete in the global landscape. SLINTEC’s effective COVID-19 diagnostic test samples isolated from positive innovations with high- kits, including RT-LAMP PCR to patients supplied by the National ‘technology readiness level’ detect viral RNA. SLINTEC has Institute of Infectious Diseases always pave the pathway successfully demonstrated the (IDH) using RT-qPCR available at for industries to grasp and use of loop mediated isothermal SJP. Further studies are continuing achieve greater heights.” amplification PCR coupled with to determine the specificity and reverse transcription (RT-LAMP) as sensitivity of the SLINTEC RT-LAMP a robust method for SARS-CoV-2 assay followed by NMRA registration detection in clinical specimens before transferring the technology for in a collaborative effort with the commercialization. University of Sri Jayewardenepura (SJP). After demonstrating the proof Antimicrobial coating of concept, SLINTEC RT-LAMP SLINTEC sterile – is an assay was validated against the antimicrobial nano-coating that can existing RT-qPCR test at SJP team be applied on numerous surfaces by analyzing RNA extracted from without tarnishing its aesthetical Dr Rangika De Silva, patient specimens supplied by SJP appearance. This technology can Head of Technology Transfer using GELDOC at SLINTEC. This eradicate microorganisms on the (SLINTEC). was followed by analyzing virus coating applied surface, as well as INNOVATION 19
T-hues natural textile dying technology.
“As a nation who is anticipating to thrive, Sri Lanka should focus on the surrounding air, with its protective through sales and/or royalties. bridging the gap between effect lasting up to six months. The Dynawash was able to introduce exports and imports, which product can be commercialized via their respective technologies to the can only be achieved through hotels, hospitals, airports, residential international markets and bring export disruptive Innovations where houses, offices, and supermarkets. revenues with innovations done in R&D plays an important role. This product is now being used by collaboration with SLINTEC. Also, with all the serious Atlas Axillia, on their exercise book range with antibacterial properties in potential implications safeguarding the school children: the caused by COVID-19 in the future of Sri Lanka. global economy, Sri Lanka should seriously align export NATURAL TEXTILE DYEING strategies to source new SLINTEC has carried out research markets.” projects with several blue chip companies in Sri Lanka. Dynawash’s T-hues brand clothing is a technology developed by SLINTEC where it uses tea dye from waste tea as a natural colorant and as a result it reduces the carbon footprint compared to that of the synthetic dyeing. The project was partially funded through the research funding support scheme of Ravinda Soysa the Sri Lanka Export Development Executive Strategic Planning Dr Lakshitha Pahalagedara, Board (EDB). Commercialized at Sri Lanka Institute of Head of Business Development research has benefitted both Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) (SLINTEC). organizations in terms of income 20 Business Lanka
STARTUP
Nurturing innovation and startups
The University Business Linkage Cell (UBLC) at the University of Moratuwa was established to nurture startups to their full potential by providing the necessary facilities, guidance, and expertise. Many new products and ventures have been developed in a short span of time under the guidance and supervision of a professional network.
he UBLC is a World Bank funded guidelines, and evaluation through project and provides students the Operational and Monitoring Tand academics collaboration Support Team (OMST) headed by Prof with professional expertise in Thusitha Abeythunga. technology transfer and business model development, establishing ECOSYSTEM innovation spaces and providing The innovation ecosystem business incubators. within the UBLC was established in Accelerating Higher Education 2019. It has a series of operations Expansion and Development (AHEAD) that are handled systematically. The is a joint venture by the Government practicality of each phase has been of Sri Lanka and the World Bank to tested and is well mechanized to the support higher education. AHEAD university system. has three result areas: (1) increasing Initially, the UBLC requests for enrollment in priority disciplines for Invention Disclosure Forms (IDF) economic development, (2) improving from the students and staff who are the quality of higher education, and engaged in innovative product (3) promoting research, development development. Individuals who are and innovation. The third result area’s part of the university as well as objective is to nurture a culture of external individuals can send their research and development, innovation innovations to the UBLC using the Prof Rohan Munasinghe, Director and commercialization (RDIC) in IDF. Upon receiving the IDF, the University Business Linkage Cell universities. The program will develop UBLC sends a team of experts to the University of Moratuwa. a system for multi-year, competitively laboratories where invention groups funded research and innovation are developing their prototypes to programs. There are two types of evaluate the technology readiness RDIC programs, one is Development- and potential for commercialization. Oriented Research (DOR) and the Invention groups are then summoned other is Research Innovation and for meetings to plan necessary Commercialization (RIC) programs. services and support for the product World Bank, not only funds the UBLCs development and commercialization. but also provides training, supervision, Project evaluation is done largely INNOVATION 21
with the external experts and working core of the UBLC comprises and lessons learned and it helped mentors, local and foreign. Patent the director, manager, and patent UBLC to develop fast and achieve a drafting services and training are and technology licensing officer. The significant level of maturity within a offered to those who have patentable Executive Operational Committee short period of time. inventions. Startup space is provided (EOC) comprises academics and for those who plan for product professionals from industry who PATENT RELATED SERVICES commercialization. Interactive immensely contribute to UBLC with The UBLC has recently built sessions and services on company their experience and expertise. a stringent patent process. This incorporation, financial handling, We have linked up with the includes training on accessing patent market analysis, product packaging following allies to obtain their databases including some commercial and branding, startup management, guidance for high-tech product databases, conducting prior art search, human resource management and development and commercialization; novelty and claim identification, patent labor law are offered to the startup Ernst&Young, Neilson, Sudath drafting, and filling. companies during the two-year Perera Associates, Publicise Groupe, UBLC has capacity to process fostering period at the product You-Lead USAID, and Employers four patents at a time taking ten-week accelerator. Startup groups receive Federation of Ceylon. We have till filing at the National Intellectual common as well as individual overseas resource persons such Property Office. A thorough search is mentoring sessions as required. as John Fraser (USA), Dr Ashley done for each patentable innovation Mentors from private sector visit the Stevens (USA), Dr Richard Cahoon and is checked and compared premises and the interaction with (Cornell University USA), Mark Tejtel against the prior art in global patent them provides startup groups an ideal (Dept of Commerce, USA), Prof databases. This is time consuming platform to exchange ideas, personal Steven Kowalsky (University of New and requires a significant effort and experiences and to self learn. Hampshire, USA), and Dr Hina Metha commitment. Not every innovation The ecosystem has separate (George Mason University, USA) who needs patent protection, nor is it incubators inside faculties and share their knowledge and experience worthy to invest time and money departments where early stage of in university technology transfer. on patenting if the innovation does development takes place. The UBLC Some of our selected inventions are not have a significant commercial has linked up with the Department mentored by these foreign experts value. However, patent protection is project coordinators through whom through World Intellectual Property crucial for every serious innovation the information of those early stage Organization (WIPO) consultation with significant commercial potential developments are received, which are program. These experts share with because it is the patent that gives thereafter commercialized. The basic the UBLC their years of experiences investors the confidence and security 22 Business Lanka
Innovations by startups at the UBLC. Top row (L-R): Elephant tracking collar, Drone to address the public, and RTK GPS surveying drone. Bottom row (L-R): Currency note disinfection machine, Remote monitoring system for COIVD-19 patients, and Steam inhaling machine for COVID-19 patients.
to invest in commercialization of that also get access to the resources of AgXspot invention. The patents that are being the university for free or at nominal This group has drones and processed by the UBLC include a costs. No rent or subscription fee is IoT solutions for the upliftment of radio collar to locate wild elephants, involved. Each startup will undergo agriculture sector. Their drone is able a drone system to perform real-time a quarterly progress review by a to see plant health and spray the right spaying based on crop health, an UBLC nominated panel. Unsuccessful amount of chemicals on to the right aggregate development to fast curing performance will result in termination plants on the fly. They also develop of mixed concrete using waste sludge of UBLC support, which could RFID and machine learning solutions materials and a method to control hardly happen. Else, after two years, for fruit management, sensor traffic lights adaptively as traffic levels startups will spin out giving their development for perimeter security change. spaces for the new startups entering and monitoring electric fences, the product accelerator. UBLC and NBIoT solutions for tracking Startups ensures that the startups receive elephants. Those who are looking for a space the required facilities to ensure their in the UBLC product accelerator success. ThermalR can submit their information using Following startups are being ThermalR Industries is a limited the IDF anytime. In addition, UBLC fostered at the UBLC Product liability company founded in 2018. conducts startup boot camp Accelerator It provides products and services branded ‘Mora Ventures’ time to in the fields of sustainable energy time through which startups and Magicbit and transportation. The company budding entrepreneurs are identified This startup has developed an has developed an electrical and selected. Each startup gets a integrated development platform for conversion kit for gasoline powered custom mentoring program based on students for learning, prototyping, Tuk-tuks. They also build electric foot their peculiar needs. UBLC provides coding, electronics, robotics, IoT and cycles and offer services for large mentoring from local and foreign solution designing. It provides establishments for their internal experts as well as through the special hardware and software support with commutation. attention of WIPO consultants. interoperable interferes to adopt UBLC supports them to build their technology more quickly regardless Pristine Technologies business models, explore and adopt of the knowledge level of the user. This is an aerial surveying to different markets, and alternative Magicbit enables to practice and learn company with several drones ready packaging with better commercial on a wide range of applications using for operations. Their drones have prospectus. While being fostered the same platform as well as to scale RTK-GPS technology that gives very at the product accelerator, startups it up for practical applications. high surveying accuracy. INNOVATION 23
Top: Tech evaluation, business development and industry exposure. Centre: WIPO online consultations on university tech transfer. Bottom: USAID YouLead for startup mentoring.
INNOVATIVE PROJECTS AT THE Another innovation is the steam for the patient to take his own UBLC inhaling machine. This is the modern measurements that will immediately Smart radio collar for elephant way of inhaling steam and it could be uploaded to a Cloud server for the tracking: as a result of deforestation help mitigate COVID-19. doctor to examine. and recent reservoir projects in This machine is electrically University Business Linkage Cell Sri Lanka, the elephant corridors have powered, temperature controlled, is working on collaborative projects been disturbed. Hence, it is a need to user-friendly, and affordable for with many industry partners such identify the new elephant corridors by every family. One needs to put water as Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka Telecom way of tracking the herd of elephants. and herbs into the container, set Mobitel, Mahaweli Authority, and After a successful project last year, the temperature and duration, and Nelna Agri. a team has been able to develop a inhale the steam flow coming out of radio collar for elephants. This collar the ergonomically designed mask. is now been commercialized as a This innovation was made for the collaboration between Mahaweli Vocational Training Authority. UBLC Authority, Mobitel, Department of invites local manufacturers to come Wildlife Conservation and University forward and commercialize this of Moratuwa. This collar has more innovation. features for a lower cost and could The remote monitoring system Prof Rohan Munasinghe, Director be sourced through a local startup for COVID-19 patients has a novel University Business Linkage Cell company. The MoU for this project is respiratory rate sensor, thermometer, University of Moratuwa being finalized at present. SPO2 sensor and pulse rate sensor 24 Business Lanka
INITIATIVE Venture Frontier Lanka
Venture Frontier Lanka is a four-year nationwide entrepreneurship initiative launched with the collaboration of OviBees Ventures, USA aimed at identifying and nurturing Sri Lanka’s most promising for-profit entrepreneurs. We aim to create a collaborative community, both online and offline, by providing in- depth venture development content that supports entrepreneurs build startups and learn how to create and run global businesses. Venture Frontier Lanka aims to grow the number of and quality of startups and aspiring entrepreneurs and is focused on being a partner to every aspiring Sri Lankan entrepreneur seeking to scale their venture nationally and globally.
ince its launch in March 2018, created for local entrepreneurs. Venture Frontier Lanka has At our previous activities, there Sbrought a series of events were speakers and mentors from designed to support entrepreneurs the United States, South Africa, to build local products and services Germany, Israel, and South Korea that have the potential to reach who shared their experience in global levels, by conveying the main international expansion, scaling actors of a local and international up, exponential growth, pitching startup scene. to investors, how and where to get We reach out to bring know-how funding. from around the world to Sri Lanka Since its launch in March 2018, and in doing so, we look to involve Venture Frontier Lanka has brought international experts in our initiatives a series of events designed to
Prosperity through Heminda Jayaweera, Co-Founder and Director, entrepreneurship; unleash Venture Frontier Lanka. Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial potenial by 2027. INNOVATION 25
Above: Entrepreneurship Caravan in Galle. Below: Entrepreneurship Caravan in Kandy. Manju Gunawardana, CEO, Research and Innovation, LOLC in the photograph.
support entrepreneurs to build local and strategies for developing and products and services that have the financing those ideas. The first potential to reach global levels, by series was launched in two cities, conveying the main actors of a local Galle at the University of Ruhuna and international startup scene. (September 23, 2019) and Kandy We represent one of the biggest at the University of Peradeniya online entrepreneurship community (October 6, 2019) and continued in Sri Lanka, with over 16,000 in Colombo at SLIIT and at the members. Our community was built University of Vocational Technology in partnership with Facebook, which in December and January. There supported the program with a grant have been over 20 caravans in the and know-how.
Entrepreneurship Ideation Caravan The Entrepreneurship Caravan is an initiative designed as a great avenue to bring experts in entrepreneurship from around the country to cities throughout Sri Lanka. The main goal of We represent one of the biggest online these caravans is to train local entrepreneurs to think differently entrepreneurship community in Sri Lanka, with about the ventures they will start. over 16,000 members. Our community was built in All events are done free of charge partnership with Facebook, which supported the and Venture Frontier Lanka bear the expenses of managing the event. program with a grant and know-how. A caravan stop consists of different sessions about creating unique ideas for startup ventures 26 Business Lanka
Startup Boot Camps; selection of startups.
Our goal is to create a past two years, with over 1,300 Colombo and 19 in Jaffna. The collaborative culture participants. entrepreneurs selected had the chance to pitch their business idea meant to provide Startup Boot Camps in front of a panel of judges and only knowledge that can The selection of the startups was the top six startups in Colombo, top help you create future based on the application information three in Jaffna, made it to the final submitted and fitting the eligibility round of pitching. The top ventures initiatives, but also a criteria published in advance. from each Startup Boot Camp then culture that enables an After receiving over 100 participated in three months of exchange of ideas and applications, we announced the mentorship support from leading participation of 37 startups in local and global entrepreneurs. resources. They will qualify for investment consideration from the Venture Frontier Seed Fund. Founders in Action; a monthly event dedicated to learning through experiences. Founders in Action This is a monthly event dedicated to learning through unique experiences. It brings together fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, speakers, Venture Frontier Lanka members and other important actors of the startup scene. Our goal is to create a collaborative culture meant to provide knowledge that can help you create future initiatives, but also a culture that enables an exchange of ideas and resources.
Heminda Jayaweera Co-Founder and Director Venture Frontier Lanka INNOVATION 27
MANUFACTURING
GRI: Innovation with agility and adaptability
Manufacturing high-performance agriculture, construction and material handling tires, GRI is a leading producer of specialty tires in Sri Lanka with primary markets in Europe and USA. Innovation is inherent to the organizational DNA and thus, GRI ensures their commitment to sustainability and environmental protection in product development, manufacturing and all operations of the organization.
RI was established in 2002 and tire consists of different layers of presently has offices in nine compounds and it is full of rubber. Gcountries and sales in over We have a system where we set 50 countries around the world. The objectives, which are stretched so that Founder/Chairman of GRI, Prabhash our employees need to think beyond Subasinghe, decided to establish their normal way of thinking. It is a the company as Sri Lanka was not means of unleashing their creativity. manufacturing its own brand of tires Regardless of innovation, the priority at that time. Our drive from day one is to first tap into their creativity. We was to produce a high performance are practicing our objectives and key product. results measurements system by We are an organization driven stretching everyone’s targeted goals. by our vision to be the global leader There is no passing or failure it is in our niche inspiring greatness merely a performance measurement across all stakeholder eco-systems to see how much a person can that we touch. This visionary DNA in expand their thinking horizon. We are us naturally taps into our creativity taking this approach as a company to innovate not only products and to unleash the staff’s creativity. This services but also our internal systems leads to employees developing and processes as well as our business new ways of working, new ways of model to serve our customers. The servicing the customer, managing continuous evolution of each of these a process, new ways of running a areas is a virtuous cycle of events that system, all these are part and parcel of we spend our life at work. innovation. The innovation boundary From the beginning itself a therefore is looking beyond product foundation was built on innovation innovation. on specialty tires, new tread designs We decided that we will produce as well as new compounds that tires that would challenge the best gave the tire higher performance tires in the world. That is produce and kept the same cost factor. There tier II plus that would challenge was innovation on two fronts, tread the tier I tires. From the beginning Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, Chief Executive Officer, designs and compounds. A solid we introduced innovation into our GRI. 28 Business Lanka
factory as well. We installed the best is a difference between producing This visionary DNA in us machinery/equipment in the world. pneumatic tires and solid tires. Thus, Some of the equipment were brought we have different R&D teams working naturally taps into our into Sri Lanka for the very first time. on the separate product types. creativity to innovate We became the largest specialty One of the recent developments not only products and tire producing factory in Sri Lanka. in solid tires was that we listened to We installed solar panels on the the customers from different parts of services but also our entire roof of the factory. One of the the world and they wanted a slightly internal systems and key drivers for us is to be green and wider tire. We designed a special tire process as well as our environmentally friendly. From power with a wider footprint, but we kept the generation to water recycling to steam same weight, shape, and structure business model to serve generation where we use biomass of the tire. It is one of the widest tires our customers. burners not furnace oil burners. There in the industry today. The second are many such systems in the factory development in terms of solid tires is that are environmentally friendly. a winter tire that we worked with our We have two factories; the solid Japanese partners to produce. This tire factory since 2002 and the new is a solid tire to be used on snow. We factory, which is the pneumatic tire have developed samples with special factory since 2018. We have R&D compounds that function in sub zero teams in both facilities and there is temperatures. We had to design a a common ground because both very special tread. The samples will manufacturing processes use rubber, be tested this winter and we will enter but in terms of technology there commercial production next year. In
Globestar WT is a universal solid tire that consistently delivers assured performance. It is one of the widest tires in the industry.
State-of-the-art tire Left: Green XLR – ensures manufacturing plant in high traction on and off road. Badalgama with solar panels Right: Grip EX Snow – ability on the entire roof. to function in sub zero temperatures. INNOVATION 29
terms of pneumatic tires, we focused within our own manufacturing systems farmers who use tires made from mainly on innovative tread designs. we look at energy efficiency. In our natural rubber. This is an example We have studied all our competition. organization everything in innovation where we use creative thinking We identified the types of treads that has a sustainability foundation. innovation, and sustainability in an end work in different terrains and so on, We are in a supply chain to a to end manner. We use innovation to and we have optimized the angles of customer, we are providing their drive different boundaries. It is not only the lugs, the pitch and depth of the tire needs to run their vehicles or the product boundary. lugs as well. machinery. We are supplying a core The current situation demands There is another very special component of the machinery, which more service innovation to serve pneumatic tire that we have is the tire that provides mobility to customers even more efficiently. It is a manufactured; it is known as a the machine/vehicle. Therefore, from situation where the markets are down, floatation tire. It is a very wide tire that the beginning of manufacturing, and growth is low. Therefore, customers seemingly floats on the earth. We came distribution, and marketing the entire require us to be more efficient and far up with a very unique tread design, chain is also a part of our innovative more innovative than before to supply which increased the performance thinking. That is with the product itself their products so that they can also and the roll of the tire to carry the how do we innovate the service we sustain their business through this heavy weight of the trailer. That was a provide as well. It helps our customers difficult period. Such situations help unique product we designed from the to create more value by working with us. us in our innovative thinking on how very beginning as well. It is working We also look at the sustainability do we support our customers to add perfectly where we have tested it in angle of the raw material we use, which more value in a difficult environment the market and we will commence the is rubber. One of our key products rather than take a back step and say commercial production soon. is agricultural tires. We are investing let’s stop and wait for the situation to The second pneumatic tire, is significantly in this area where we improve. The pandemic situation is a also a winter tire, we launched it are gathering momentum in terms of crisis but we have realized that we need recently. It is for snow ploughing market growth. to stay closer to the customers and and snow removing equipment and Looking at the supply chain the provide more value for them during this trucks that need to perform in very low first link is the rubber farmers. It is period, which requires us to be more temperatures. We designed the tread about how to create a value chain that innovative. so that it moves automatically, and becomes innovative from the rubber In this situation where some optimized the tread design. Here too farmer to the farmer on the other markets are struggling, you can also we worked with our partner in Japan. side using our tires in their farming make a big differentiation when you We recently launched the product and machinery. It is connecting a farmer to become the most reliable supplier. the tires have been shipped and will farmer; two ecosystems. This is another We see bigger players having issues. be used during winter in Japan this innovative concept that we are trying to There are supply chain disruptions year. drive, connecting our end to end supply everywhere. In such a situation, we are Our foundation for innovations is chain while focusing on sustainability able to be as a Sri Lankan company, built on sustainability principles. This principals. a reliable supplier where we have makes GRI a global stakeholder in We are currently forming a farmer thought of ways on how to assure participating actively in the agendas base, where we are identifying farmers reliability to the customers. of Climate Change, UN’s Sustainability that work in a sustainably manner One of our core strengths is Goals, Continuous Reduction of while increasing their productivity. to make innovative products that Carbon Footprint as an organization We use that process to make an perform well in line with anticipated plus helping our customers to achieve agriculture tire using our systems, performance. Our products are their sustainability goals, use of green once again founded on sustainability. always made at the upper limits of energy, social equity, productivity via We have energy systems powered by performance and quality tolerance investing in future technologies and solar power, waste recycling systems, rather than at the middle or lower extending the concepts through the and rainwater harvesting, which are end. This guarantees the utility value end to end value chain. all part of the manufacturing process to the end user beyond what they When we do an innovation, we that is sustainable. The tires are then expect. It leads to our virtuous cycle of look whether it would reduce the used by agriculture farmers where we continuously pushing the customer’s carbon footprint, does it lead to a can extend the sustainability concepts value creation boundaries. reduction in wastage, and whether it to those farmers as well. We launched leads to better recyclability. We focus one of our key innovative initiatives on ensuring that there is a reduction last year in Germany, named Green in the customer’s carbon footprint as X Circle connecting the end to end Dr Mahesha Ranasoma well. Energy consumption decreases farmer eco-systems between the Chief Executive Officer GRI as a result of using GRI Tires. Even rubber farmers and the agricultural 30 Business Lanka
INVESTMENT
Ceylon Graphene Technologies: Converting Graphite to Graphene
Ceylon Graphene Technologies (CGT) is a joint venture between LOLC Group and Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC). With a US patent for the technology to convert Graphite to Graphene, CGT is producing a high value addition, which is Graphene and its associated products for the export market.
Manju Gunawardana, Chief Executive Officer – Pure Graphite from the Research and Innovation, LOLC Holdings. Kahatagaha Graphite mines.
raphene’s unique combination of extraordinary properties Goffers a fascinating material platform for the development of next generation technologies in many areas – superfast high capacity batteries, sensors, anti- corrosion coatings, water treatment, medicine and technologies. Graphene is a sheet of carbon atoms in a honeycomb structure and many stacked graphene sheets create graphite. The material was first discovered in 2004 by two researchers at The University of Manchester, Professor Andre Geim and Professor Kostya Novoselov. INNOVATION 31
Above: Graphite is converted to Graphene within the specialized equipment. Right: The US patent received by SLINTEC for the unique technology.
Ceylon Graphene The duo subsequently won the Nobel Oxide, Functionalized Reduced Prize in 2010 for their discovery. Graphene Oxide, and Expanded Technologies Sri Lanka is the only country in the Graphite. The price of Graphite is has the largest world that produces vein graphite and approximately USD 2/kg and six and the most it is one of the country’s main mineral kilograms are required to produce a products. Sri Lankan vein graphite kilo of Graphene, which is worth over sophisticated is mainly sourced from three mines 3,000 US dollars. Through our process factory in the located in Ragedara, Kahatagaha and we are adding massive value addition region to convert Bogala, these sources have ultra- to the raw material, and therefore pure highly crystalline vein graphite expecting to earn high revenues to the Graphite into with more than 98 percent carbon country through export. Graphene. purity. Graphite is converted into Ceylon Graphene Technologies Graphene through a unique process, has the largest and the most which includes both chemical and sophisticated factory in the region to physical processes. convert Graphite into Graphene. CGT Graphene products include holds the patent for the technology Graphene Oxide, Reduced Graphene to convert the raw material to the 32 Business Lanka
Right: The Graphene manufacturing plant. Below: One of the Graphene products– reduced Graphene Oxide.
final product. Amongst its ambitious like clay, as well as using Graphene in the commercialization of graphene goals, CGT plans to be the High- drug delivery. and graphene-like materials. Through Quality Graphene and Graphene CGT is the only company to this Association we receive great Derivative manufacturers in the export Graphene commercially, exposure and also network with market whilst improving research and with many contacts requesting our many companies worldwide and are acquiring commercial advantages in products in US, Brazil, Russia, and able to exchange knowledge with the energy storage industry for high Japan. universities in the US as well. performance graphene additives for While Graphene production is Graphene is the greatest battery manufacturers worldwide. only done at CGT, Graphene research innovation of this century, with the Graphene exhibits excellent is conducted at all universities capabilities of Graphene increasing mechanical, electrical, thermal and including Colombo, Peradeniya and by day. It is very important to optical properties and is particularly Wayamba as well as the National Sri Lanka because we have the raw suitable for the implementation in Institute of Fundamental Studies in material Graphite in the country. electrochemical applications. Thus, Hantana. With this advantage, CGT has the during 2019, CGT launched the first The National Institute of technological edge and we are driven ever Graphene applied Lead Acid Fundamental Studies is researching by our innovative spirit to cater the Battery Technology together with on Graphene applications and they worldwide graphene demand. Associated Battery Manufacturers are now working on developing (Ceylon). This product is already Lithium Ion batteries with Graphene. in the market under the Lead Acid I am a Board Member and an Manju Gunawardana Battery range of Exide. Advisory Committee Member of The Chief Executive Officer CGT also has many ongoing National Graphene2D Association Research and Innovation projects in areas such as; plastics, (NGA2D), the leading organization LOLC Holdings and different composite materials in the US advocating and promoting INNOVATION 33
ONLINE
LiveRoom: Creating the new normal for business
LiveRoom was established in 2015. Currently the Company’s Technology Development Center is in Colombo, and R&D and Design Center is in Bandarawela. Specializing in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Computer Vision and Graphics Solutions with a focus on 3D, LiveRoom has created the Cloud platform solution, OGMO, which brings augmented reality to any e-commerce platform.
L-R: Sameera Nilupul, Director and Achala Weerasooriya, Chief Operating Officer, LiveRoom.
Above and below: OGMO was created by LiveRoom and allows customers to bring augmented reality (AR) to their products especially on e-commerce platforms. 34 Business Lanka
The LiveRoom team at the CEBIT conference.
he key markets that LiveRoom Japanese vehicles on its dashboard, diverse clientele in Sri Lanka ranging serve are Japan, Europe and and, utilizing AI the automated from porcelain to garments and tires TSingapore while also providing damage protection system for an that are using this platform. services to other markets. Within Australian client, which were also Augmented reality provides the the scope of the four areas that the developed by LiveRoom. The Fit opportunity to visualize products in company specializes in, LiveRoom app was developed for a Swedish a more realistic manner. For example, focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), company where the body size can be if you are a porcelain exporter in AR, VR, computer vision, graphics determined when shopping online as Sri Lanka and you want to showcase based software development, digital there are numerous size standards. your products to a foreign client, human technology, 3D scanning and To use this app, one only requires the best option is to first share the content creation. to take a photograph of the front product with augmented reality Innovation is integral to the and side view and the app would so that customers can see it in functioning of the organization. determine the clothing size with their own environment given the LiveRoom designed and developed confidence. right scale with lighting conditions a digital human design studio for a OGMO is LiveRoom’s own and the right material properties. Japanese client, which is essentially product to which the patent has been Furthermore, OGMO is useful used for ergonomics designs as a received as well. The platform allows for online sellers as well. In most whole. Generally, a large number companies to bring augmented instances a buyer would only be able of prototypes need to be made to reality to their products. For example, to see a photograph of the product test a design. However, with the if you are a manufacturer in Sri Lanka and they would go away without digital human design studio that and you wish to send your sample purchasing because they do not is not required. Actual scenarios to a customer in the US, generally, have the confidence. OGMO assists under real conditions are simulated you would have to ship your product. them in visualizing their products using computer generated content That is time consuming and it is better so they can experience the applying even the minute details costly. But with OGMO you can scan product in their own environment, of physics as well. Other novel the product and create a digital twin. using augmented reality and make innovations include, the virtual fitting Thereafter only the link needs to be their buying decision. E-commerce room developed for a US fashion emailed to the customer and they is the main platform for OGMO, tech company, the core software can view and experience the product where it creates the customer that generates the 3D graphics in prior to purchasing. There is a confidence in the product they INNOVATION 35
Experiencing a virtual showroom on Oculus Quest, same experience available for web and mobile.
wish to purchase. The main market conglomerates may have their own using AI as well. All that needs to be segment for LiveRoom is companies software development teams, for done is that a one-minute video needs that wish to create an experience to small businesses OGMO provides an to be recorded of the product, which their customers. In a post COVID-19 essential service. is uploaded to the OGMO Cloud and world, Augmented Reality Shopping, All apps developed by LiveRoom, the AI will generate the 3D model. Virtual Showrooms and Product whether it be OGMO, or solutions The Colombo office of LiveRoom Configurators are the best way of for clients the content needs to be focuses on technology development providing the next level experience to created in 3D so it can be visualized while the facility in Bandarawela customers and LiveRoom is capable in the outer environment. In terms of is focused on 3D designing where of developing such solutions. innovations in the future, LiveRoom internship programs are provided With the COVID-19 pandemic, is looking at reducing the cost as well. The reason as to why there has been an increased interest associated with creating 3D content. Bandarawela was selected as a in OGMO as more customers acquire A solution is being considered location was that it is situated between online services. Online vendors were where the online vendor himself three good universities; Uva Wellassa, keen to have a digital product of their can scan the product and the 3D Sabaragamuwa and Peradeniya. While own as it would be easier for them image to be created automatically Bandarawela and Badulla have good to share their product without doing with a minimum amount of design talent, there was a gap in opportunities so physically. It is very convenient as interaction. Currently a portable 3D and access to resources. Thus, well as time saving. OGMO created a scanner is being developed similar LiveRoom decided to provide the huge difference in this segment. Many to a mobile 3D app where the 3D internship program to these graduates. online vendors and clients saw the reconstruction will happen and We wanted to close the gaps between need for augmented reality to promote stored on Cloud. The clients/online Sri Lankan and international standards their products but to build an app vendors can create their own 3D of designing and content creation. from the start is very costly. Therefore, content to give an augmented reality a readymade platform like OGMO experience for their customers. with a subscription model helps Computer graphics, computer Sameera Nilupul them. It is a plug-and-play solution. vision and 3D are mutually connected Director Achala Weerasooriya The client has to install a plug-in into with Artificial Intelligence. A solution Chief Operating Officer their platform and thereafter they can cannot be presented without an AI LiveRoom visualize the products. While larger component in it. 3D scanning is done 36 Business Lanka
SUSTAINABILITY
BIO FOODS: Organic, biodynamic and Fairtrade
Built on the foundational values of sustainability, traceability, reliability and food security, Bio Foods has been able to proudly provide customers all around the world with truly organic and sustainable food products for nearly three decades. Established in 1993, by Dr Sarath Ranaweera as a family owned business based in Kandy, Bio Foods is now the leading processor and exporter of organic, biodynamic and Fairtrade food products in Sri Lanka.
Bio Foods was the Winner of the German Sustainability Award for Corporate Partnerships (Jointly with GLS Bank, Germany) – 2020 (Düsseldorf, Germany). Dr Sarath Ranaweera, Chairman, Bio Foods is in the centre. INNOVATION 37
Bio Foods plays a major role in the organic post-harvested food industry in Sri Lanka. While fulfilling the ever- growing needs of the international market, we take all the necessary steps and responsibility to assure the sustainability of all stakeholders of this essential supply chain; from producer to consumer. We provide a guaranteed minimum price at the farm-gate, transparent documentation for assured traceability and rigorously maintain local and international environmental regulations. When talking about innovation, what sets us apart from our competitors – is our diverse product portfolio with truly organic practices.
Coconut Bio Foods Makandura coconut processing unit predominantly produces organic coconut milk in a variety of canned and aseptically perating with the vision Europe’s most prestigious award in packed products. Our innovative of becoming the best the field of sustainable development and streamlined manufacturing Oenvironmentally friendly organic process ensures that the final product food producer in Asia and achieving • Finalist at the Sustainability complies with the highest quality and global customer satisfaction – we have Food Award – 2019 (Amsterdam, international food safety standards. provided our customers with a variety Netherlands) Displaying our innovativeness we of products ranging from organic Only Finalist from Asia in the World have introduced a range of flavored tea, spices, herbs, coconut products Pioneer and Leadership categories. coconut milk with ingredients such as and frozen fruits and vegetables, ginger, lemon grass, turmeric, black keeping in line with global demand • Presidential Awards – 2018 pepper, and more. These recipes for chemical free, healthy food and Discovery of special enzyme in are developed in-house by our own beverages. Due to our high quality activator for green tea processing – competent research and development and innovative product range, our second place in food technology. team. Attesting to its uniqueness, international customer base has grown these flavored coconut milk products from markets in the European Union to The certifications and quality are in high demand and exported to North America and Asia. standards acquired over the years many countries. Owing to his commitment towards such as FairTrade, Demeter, USDA, the company vision and ethical JAS, Bio Suisse, UTZ, BRC, FSSC Spices standing Dr Sarath Ranaweera 22000, and many more, stand as With our factory being situated in was awarded the first ever “World proof of our ethical, organic, quality the central dry-zone of Sri Lanka, our Fairest Fair Trader Award” in 2014, standards and innovation that we organic, Fairtrade and biodynamic presented by the Fairtrade Labeling proudly present to our customers all spice range includes black pepper (our Organization (FLO). Further we take around the world. As the “World’s major export crop) and white pepper, pride in securing many other local and First” organic and FairTrade registered cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, international awards and recognition exporter of spices and coconut mace, turmeric, and ginger. for our unparalleled commitment and products, we have progressed over Keeping in line with our value of unwavering focus on Fairtrade and the years to be a leader in what we do, innovation, we are the first processor sustainability, including the following: supported by 11 factories around the to use Liquid Nitrogen for milling. • Winner of the German country, approximately 10,000 farmer Cryogenic milling is a very advanced Sustainability Award for base and warehousing capabilities in technology adopted by leading Corporate Partnerships (Jointly Germany and Canada. processors in EU which preserve with GLS Bank, Germany) – 2020 As a longtime processor and all flavor compounds, other volatile (Düsseldorf, Germany) exporter of high-quality products, oil, color and goodness. This has 38 Business Lanka
Coconut is processed to produce flavored coconut milk products that are in high demand and exported to many countries.
With processing facilities in Gampola, Diyathalawa and Mahauva, Bio Foods offers a wide range of organic black tea, green tea and flavored tea.
allowed us to make powders with extra house engineering division which processor in Sri Lanka at present. We fine texture and free flowing qualities. results in zero damages to the nuts have introduced a new IQF milling Furthermore, we have adopted while de-shelling. mechanism after discussions with special sterilization techniques for one of the largest machine suppliers various types of spices so that we can Frozen in USA. Our IQF products range from sell them at very competitive prices. Over the years quick freezing coconut milk cubes, green tea cubes, These techniques were developed was established as a widespread lemon grass, ginger, jalapeno, herbs after very lengthy research and commercial method for long term and many more fruits and vegetables. development trials and experiments. preservation of perishable food in Our high value added IQF green tea Add to this, we have developed our the industrialized countries. One of cubes and milled production is a one own techniques for making white the latest processing technologies in of its kind innovation in the frozen food products industry which was formulated according to a concept of the Chairman.
Our high value added IQF green tea cubes and Fertilizer milled production is a one of its kind innovation Located in the central dry zone in the frozen food products industry which was of Sri Lanka, the Eco Planet fertilizer unit of Bio Foods was initiated to formulated according to a concept of the Chairman. play the role of introducing new organic agriculture inputs, technology and knowledge to the Sri Lankan agriculture industry. Through pepper without smell and prominent ensuring product quality, texture and continuous and extensive research whitish color. The process of making the taste while providing two years under the guidance of Chairman, nutmeg ensures that total aflatoxin and plus shelf life is the Individual Quick Dr Ranaweera, we were able to ochratoxin remain at very low levels. As Freezing (IQF) technology. With two successfully introduce a unique a result, we have become the leading processing lines in our frozen product organic certified fertilizer that is not seller and our nutmeg de-shelling factory located in Pannampitiya, we merely compost. This is composed mechanism is developed in the in- are the largest IQF food products of a combination of organically INNOVATION 39
Bio Foods high value added IQF green tea cubes and milled production is truly a one of its kind innovation in the frozen food products industry.
Mango chunks Chillie - Jalepeno Lemongrass
Tea cubes Cobra Chillie - red Ginger - milled
Lemongrass - milled Pineapple - tidbits Curry Leaves certified compost and beneficial soil and leafy grades as well as in the daily paid workers, but are now microorganisms that no longer exist form of extracts. As a proud initiative educated and trained to farm under naturally in the soil. Through the use of Bio Foods with regards to our a sustainable organic program. This of our organic fertilizer, farmers have range of tea - Mahauva project contributes to over two decades of reported much higher yields than with takes prominence. The Mahauva Bio Foods’ history in sustainable, the use of conventional fertilizer. Also project was initiated in 2016 to keep eco-friendly food production. Green attesting to this, studies have shown, up with the international demand tea is processed through special on average with the use of Bio Foods for organic and Fairtrade teas. Bio patented technology by which organic fertilizer – a 30 percent higher Foods rehabilitated a factory at this excellent and pleasant green tea yield has been harvested from crops Mahauva plantation that had fallen characteristics are achieved and such as tea, coconut, paddy, onion, into disrepair due to a long period maintained. vegetables and spices. of non-use. Through this project, Throughout our 27 years of Bio Foods began processing of a history we have always believed in Tea new range of green and black teas, organic way of life. We take pride in With processing facilities in provided by small-farmers affiliated feeding people all over the world a Gampola, Diyathalawa and Mahauva, with the project, according to the truly healthy product, contributing we offer a wide range of organic black sustainable ‘Farmer Outgrower’ to preserve Mother Nature and tea, green tea and flavored tea. These model. Prior to engaging with this providing a sustainable living to our tea range in dust, fanning, broken project, these farmers were merely farmers. 40 Business Lanka
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
HDDES: Innovation in natural essences
Using methods of steam distillation and solvent extraction, HDDES is one of the few companies that specializes in organic and conventional spices, essential oils, oleoresins, herbal extracts, floral extracts, hydrolates, natural aromatic chemicals, coconut based products and instant tea.
The HDDES production facility in Horana.
aving started in the 1930’s as pharmaceutical, nutrition, food and a spice business primarily with beverages and aromatherapy industries. HCinnamon as the key product, The Group diversified its portfolio and HDDES further expanded as an invested in the latest technology in order exporting business in 1982. After I to introduce floral and herbal extracts to joined the business in 1990, I decided to the export market. take the company in a different direction HDDES provides high quality where we went beyond spices. We spices such as organic and focused on value addition and once conventional spices, ground spices we moved our production facility to either in bulk quantities or consumer the BOI Zone in Horana we started to value added packaging with the quality manufacture the main products such systems placed in the factory ensuring as essential oils and oleoresins in the high quality standards throughout conventional and organic forms by using the vertical integration process. We the methods of steam distillation and use sophisticated nano-tech steam solvent extraction. Our products are sterilizing mechanism to maintain the used in the flavor and fragrance industry, optimum quality of the spices. Gehan De Silva, Managing Director, HDDES Group. INNOVATION 41
Above photographs: Research and Development by scientists in state-of- the-art laboratories. Below: Value addition is done at the production facility.
In terms of essential oils, a process to produce organic extra at HDDES are from the aromatic HDDES utilizes a range of natural virgin coconut oil, Medium Chain spices, wood and grass distillated raw materials to produce these oils. Triglycerides (MCT Oil) and MCT Oil with water. This combination is heated An essential oil is a concentrated powder from selected and certified using steam that captures all the hydrophobic liquid containing volatile organic farms. The MCT Oil powder essential oils with trace amounts of aroma compounds from plants. At is a value addition of the extra virgin aromatic compounds, which dissolve HDDES, essential oils are extracted by coconut oil where we have fractioned in the water. Once the essential oils steam distillation, hydro distillation and the coconut oil. The process to separate through a sophisticated supercritical extraction using carbon produce MCT oil and powder was separation process, the hydrolates dioxide. The oils are used in perfumes, developed through research. In such are stored in large stainless-steel cosmetics, soaps and other products, a manner we are developing new vessels. Hydrolates are used in as well as food and drink flavoring and methods to further extract different the aromatherapy and cosmetics fragrances of incense and household herbal materials that would provide industries. cleaning products. health benefits to the consumer. We specialize in the production of In terms of coconut products, Hydrolates are produced through oleoresins. Oleoresins are mixtures of while the usual products are also the steam distillation process. The volatile and non-volatile compounds of manufactured, we have developed main hydrolytes that are produced botanicals, which are extracted from 42 Business Lanka
We are the only company in the world to produce the Blue Lotus extract, which is greatly used in the manufacture of high-end perfumes and cosmetics. HDDES holds a dominant place in the floral extract market in Sri Lanka.
Above: Solvent extraction in process. Below: Many innovative products are manufactured at the HDDES factory.
spices available in Sri Lanka namely, in the tropical climate of Sri Lanka. individual customer needs. With the Black Pepper, Cardamom, Nutmeg, HDDES is the only company to add expansion of the Companies portfolio, Ginger, Cloves, Garcenia, Lemongrass, value to the Blue Lotus, which is the HDDES ventured into the medicinal and Cinnamon. Oleoresins are used National Flower of the country. We plant extract segment as well. These as a flavor enhancer in the food and are the only company in the world to products are mainly used in the beverage industry. produce the Blue Lotus extract, which pharmaceutical industry. The medicinal Research and development is a is greatly used in the manufacture of plant extracts are manufactured continuous process at HDDES and high-end perfumes and cosmetics. through solvent extraction with the use we have 15 scientists working with us. HDDES holds a dominant place in of approved solvents and are used to We have developed many innovative the floral extract market in Sri Lanka. manufacture medicine to treat patients products for various industries. One We are presently the only company in with various ailments. such area is floral extracts, which Sri Lanka who is able to manufacture In terms of flavors, we have are obtained from the flowers grown any required fragrance tailor made to partnered with two companies in INNOVATION 43
Above: Left, HDDES is the only company to extract essesnces from the Blue Lotus. Right, manufacturing of incense sticks. Below: Packaging of finished products.
France and Spain to produce the best flavor solutions for tea, food, bakery products, beverages, confectionary, candy and medicinal preparations. Many of our products are suitable for vegans, lacto vegetarians, ovo-lacto vegetarians and coeliac individuals. The flavors comply with the highest standards in the EU and follow EU specifications. One of our latest products is the Smoke Liquid. We use 100 percent natural ingredients to produce the product. This is a CSR project with Ceylon Cinnamon that has the smoke liquid which can be used more than 300 women working with medicinal and healing benefits. We in the meat processing, sausage us on this project. The waste from all use only pure Ceylon Cinnamon in processing as well as to produce the spices are utilized as a base raw all our products. Our entire team is smoked goods such as smoked material to make the incense stick. working on creating immune booster salmon and ham without actually We are happy with the entire project products specially to address the using charcoal. No chemicals are and we have created two important current situation. There are two added, it is a physical process that incense scents; one is to control pharmaceutical companies interested produces 100 percent pure and mosquitos, which is highly effective in our products, one in the US and natural smoke flavor. We are happy and the other type of incense stick the other in the UK. Much value to say that we are the only company helps to prevent human-elephant addition can be done to pure Ceylon to perform multiple value addition to conflict. The elephants do not like Cinnamon as it is only available in a single product. For example; with the fragrance of the incense sticks, Sri Lanka. Cinnamon, we do 500-600 times thus once lit they would not approach We have developed our team so value addition at various stages so villages or paddy fields. We have done that we produce finished products that nothing is wasted. research with the Wildlife Department for export instead of sending our We have transformed the entire and I believe it is a good solution to raw materials overseas. We have incense sticks industry in Sri Lanka, control the human-elephant conflict developed more than 300 products which was monopolized by overseas and save the humans as well as the and there will be more to come in the suppliers. With the assistance of elephants. future as well. our R&D team we utilized all natural With the COVID-19 pandemic waste produced from the various situation there is great demand for Gehan De Silva manufacturing processes and added various spices especially Cinnamon. Managing Director, HDDES Group value to create a different type of We wish to stress that it is the pure 44 Business Lanka
DIGITAL
Arimac: Blending creativity with technology
The Arimac family with our trademark digital disruption has revolutionized the corporate digital landscape of Asia through the transformational uplifting of the digital standards of many multinationals and blue chips for nearly a decade. Together we have reached remarkable milestones in Robotics that gave birth to Diyazen the pioneering humanoid robot in South Asia and other large scale international projects. Arimac’s Innovations and disruptive strategies have been a game changer in the Sri Lankan Tech arena and the following are some insights into our key innovations and milestones.
Chamira Prasad Jayasinghe, Founder, Diyazen, the pioneering humanoid robot in South Asia. Arimac. INNOVATION 45
The Arimac office inculcates an innovative environment.
Believing in and honing Sri Lankan talent Arimac was launched in 2011 with the vision to blend creativity with technology and create groundbreaking innovations, when I identified that there was no platform for talented engineers to be creative and bring to life their futuristic ideas. Our key goal was to mitigate brain drain and halt the country’s most talented tech minds from moving on to nourish the tech landscape of other countries. I was determined to give these individuals the ability to stay on in their motherland and shine bright by providing the right tools and infrastructure to fuel their dreams. Most importantly I wanted to break the barrier and myth that one must possess a degree and be fluent in English to gain entry to and excel in the field of IT. We opened the doors wide for pure talent, no longer were language and educational qualifications barriers to access this dynamic field. The Arimac philosophy is to empower young people to achieve their fullest potential and equip them with the knowledge and tools to do so. Chamira Prasad Jayasinghe with Diyazen, the humanoid robot. 46 Business Lanka
global campaigns. An example of these would be the Butterfly Effect - project done for the United Nations to showcase the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goals, which received millions of impressions from across the world. For VISA, the international aggregated Payment Company, we developed an e-Commerce platform that allowed an extended shopping experience, through (AR) Augmented Reality. We also designed and developed the biggest application ever done for an Airline – the world’s first application to earn and redeem miles, real- time, done for Etihad Airlines. In yet another example, Arimac developed a platform for Dhiraagu a leading telecom provider in The Maldives – an island with a population of around 500,000. Dhiraagu attracted more than 300,000 users through Arimac’s solution which became the most downloaded and active app in The Maldives – the only product of its nature in the world and a direct result of Arimac’s Design Anthropology service.
Innovation in Gamification and Gaming NERO one of the latest games by Arimac will be launched soon. We also spread our wings of innovation across gaming and established this area of expertise in We opened the doors wide for pure talent, Sri Lanka with yet another twist of differentiation. We created an eco- no longer were language and educational system with multiple types of gaming, qualifications barriers to access this dynamic field. like hyper casual, mobile gaming and desktop gaming, with the biggest gaming milestone being Kanchayuda. At Arimac, we as a policy do Arimac also set the curriculum for not compete with other Sri Lankan gaming for students in Sri Lankan technology companies as our wish is Universities. We are extremely for all Sri Lankan tech entities to excel pleased to have introduced cognitive and place Sri Lanka on the map. We computing where the player’s are happy to take on the onus to help complete cognizance is analyzed – any company that needs our guidance which we call Hexagon of Cognition. or wishes to engage in knowledge This tracks the cognitive skills of the sharing with us. user, such as mathematics skills, memory and strategy. In collaboration Innovation that takes on the with Neurosurgeon, Dr Kishara world Guneratne who is affiliated with Our Innovation has reached Harvard University, Arimac is opening global altitudes through the up a different dimension for gaming to acquisition of high net worth clients help children with cognitive disorders and the completion of massive such as ADH or dyslexia. INNOVATION 47
The Arimac team. Propelling the future of the Sri Lanka carefully nurtures its sharp Industry young minds brimming with innovation With regard to the future of the which surpasses those in developed tech industry in Sri Lanka, we strongly nations, Sri Lanka could create the believe that the future in tech is next world-changing, groundbreaking strongly based on the success of app or innovation. To raise the startups. We are acquiring startups country’s GDP and to diminish debts, aggressively to nurture them. Many the route that the nation must take startups although rich in talent and is through the revolutionizing of the innovation need a vision and focus. digital sphere. What can be earned through manufacturing is far less when compared to the incredible We strongly believe that the future in tech is contribution that effective digitalization has the potential of making to the strongly based on the success of startups. We are nation and the world. The barriers to acquiring startups aggressively to nurture them. entry are limited in the tech industry. A singular idea or an imaginative game, can bring unprecedented success. We take them under our wing and In comparison, manufacturers have mentor them with our experience large barriers to entry, starting from gained and ensure that they don’t the investment in infrastructure and make the same mistakes we did in massive overheads. Therefore, if the past. Our aim is to acquire 50 this proactive and youth oriented startups by 2023 and to reach a USD Government together with private one billion valuation by 2028. We want sector related to technology solutions to be Sri Lanka’s first unicorn in the IT focus on developing Sri Lanka’s sector. The accumulation of all these tech landscape, the country will companies, can and will drive the GDP definitely be geared to experience of Sri Lanka. unprecedented growth and development. Using digitalization to raise the country’s GDP Chamira Prasad Jayasinghe With our Industry leadership of Founder, Arimac nearly a decade, we believe that if 48 Business Lanka
GO DEEPER
Quality
uality is essential in any well. This can vary from industry to industry, whether it be industry. Certifications are issued Qagriculture, manufacturing when quality standards are met and or services. It is the measure many organizations ensure that they in which a consumer/client obtain the required certifications determines whether to proceed to enable their product and Quality is measured in with a certain product or not. organization to be of a high level in many ways utilizing Quality is based on the inherent the consumer/customer’s mind. properties of the product/services It is essential to maintain quality specific techniques. A offered. Quality is measured standards when engaging with the product quality can be in many ways utilizing specific export market as each destination defined by its features, techniques. A product quality has its stipulated requirements. can be defined by its features, Furthermore, in this highly conformance to conformance to specifications competitive global market it is specifications and also and also that it is without any important to be able to identify the that it is without any defects. Quality may be interpreted best quality products that fulfill the differently according to the criteria required standards. defects. and the respective environment/ In the next issue of Business country. Lanka we will be focusing on quality Quality standards are and its importance focusing on the determined from the raw material Sri Lankan context where goods stage to the production process and services would be on par with and the final product stage as similar products internationally. Visit us online to discover more www.srilankabusiness.com
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