COSTI_Innovation Eye Newsletter_August 2014

8/21/2019 COSTI_Innovation Eye Newsletter_August 2014

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Vol. 1, No.2 August 2014

e-Newsletter of The Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology and Innovation (COSTI)

What is inside..?

Are we really seeing the 01true picture about our ST&Ispace?

From the Editor 02

News and Activities 03

Members Corner

Sri Lankan SME sector 07and Future Challenges

Can biogas be the 07next energy source tosubstitute conventionalenergy sources in Sri Lanka?

Reuse of nitrate 08contaminatedgroundwater in Kalpitiya

region, for its agriculture

Heading towards wonder 09of Asia

STI (Science, Technology 11and Innovation) Contributionsto Lanka; winning or losingopportunities

Are we really seeing the truepicture about our ST&I space?

The fact that innovation isparamount for sustainabledevelopment, especially indeveloping countries is a foregone

conclusion today.In Sri Lanka, education seems to bea success story. We are well-known

for our high literacy rate. It wasreported that the net enrolment ratein schools reached 99% in 2010, forboth males and females. Country-wide development programmesare being implemented aiming atincreasing ICT literacy from 35% to75% by 2016.We hear about child innovators,many discoveries, unique healthtreatments, our unique naturalresources, but still in the Global

Innovation Index, the world seesus differently. Where are we goingwrong, or is it that we are reallynot going wrong but measuredincorrectly.There are many world indicesmeasuring various aspects onational capabilities, economicgrowth etc. Are these indices reallydepicting the real picture? If notwhy? If you delve deeper into howthese world indices are calculatedthe reason behind becomes very

clear, incorrect data. For examplesome values of the 2013 GlobaIndex is calculated based on datacollected in 2009. COSTI has metmany challenges since its inceptionone insurmountable challenge isaccess to data. So would haveother international organisationstrying to collect relevant data.This is one area where COSTI aimsto make a difference: one, attemptto portray a true picture of SrLanka’s research and innovationspace, two: to break the barrier odata inaccessibility and promote aculture of data sharing. To this effecCOSTI is in the process of building aNational ST&I (Science, Technologyand Innovation) Dashboard whichwill give the users ‘at a glance viewof the research and innovationspace of Sri Lanka.

Dr Geetha AbeysingheDirector IT @ COSTI

Innovation Eye © COSTI 2014 1

COSTI Innovation Dashboard: This is

how it would look like


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From the Editor This is the launching of COSTI’s second newsletter. COSTI team is happy tonote that the newsletter had been well received. The feedback receivedwas positive and we will continue to work on the suggestions. COSTI wasable to distribute the e-version of the newsletter to about 5000 in the STspace with the help of the database created by COSTI itself. We aim tocommunicate to the wider STI community. On February 01, 2014 COSTcompleted its rst year of its tenure. Its achievements up to now provideample evidence as to its success brought in against many odds! So farCOSTI had progressed remarkably well with its mandated tasks and hadalways extended its guidance towards R & D and ST & I (Research andDevelopment/Science Technology and Innovation) activities of thecountry. It also extended its support to everyone, who needed assistancewith regard to R&D and ST & I ventures. It was possible to take necessarymeasures in keeping with its mandate to increase medium-high tech &high-tech value added exports through nanotechnology, etc. COSTI’sobjective is to identify ways and means to improve the country’s high-techexports from 1.5% to 10% by the year 2016. An interesting feature of COSTis its staff although a smaller number it comprises of personnel with diverse

experience and expertise and they have in turn proved their excellencein day to day activities by their teamwork. Teamwork is the criterion forsuccess and COSTI expects collaboration to be the way forward in realizingits operational framework. This issue illustrates some of the COSTI’s recenevents together with innovative ideas of several members, which are listedat the member’s corner. At the moment this newsletter may be a smalstep forward towards communicating science and related info to a wide

stakeholder group.

Prashan Francis:Edito

[email protected]

“The nation which

does not create

new things

will not rise”

-Cumaratunga Munidasa

(1887-1944)


COSTI-Operational framework for Coordination and Monitoring


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COSTI News and ActivitiesRoundtable Discussion Series II: Value Addition to Clay

On the 9th of May 2014 COSTI conducted its second

roundtable discussion on value addition to clay at Sri

Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA),

Colombo. The purpose of this roundtable discussion

was to form an interaction among the people involvedin the clay industry and the researchers scattered

throughout the country by discussing its strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities and threats, thereby,

seeking ways and means to overcome the problems.

People involved in research relating to clay

varieties from universities and other research

institutes along with people involved in clay industry

and trade were the participants of this event.

Prof. Ajith de Alwis, project director of COSTI, delivered

the welcome address and described in detail the

objectives of the program. Hon. Senior Minister forScientic Affairs Prof. Tissa VItharana was present

at the event and delivered an inspiring speech.

The roundtable discussion was enriched by

presentations from several resource personnel from

universities, research organizations and the industry

The speakers shared their valuable research ndings

their problems and their methodology of solving

such problems. For those involved in this trade, this

event provided a tremendous opportunity to express

their ndings and to nd solutions to their problems

Thereafter, a panel discussion took place under the

chairmanship of Dr. Mubarak. The personnel of the

industry as well as research institutes raised a number

of important issues and suggestions. How far these

suggestions are feasible has to be seen by applying them

to present day situations, but to realize their succes

may take quite some time. Finding a solution to an

industry problem of a considerable magnitude cannot

be achieved overnight. Finally, COSTI assured the

participants that it would endeavor to cooperate with

the industry personnel to nd solutions to their problems


Dr. Muditha Senerath Yapa (JKH) presenting at the event

Dr. Bandula Perera (PUSCL) expressing his ideas during

the discussion session

Roundtable discussion on concerning the issues related toimport and export of biological samples

COSTI organized a roundtable meeting at the Sri Lanka

Institute for Development Administration (SLIDA) on the

9th of April 2014, to discuss the issues relating to the

imports/exports of biological samples, consumables

and equipment. The event was intended to enlighten

the relevant authorities about the difculties faced by

the importers and exporters of biological commodities

and to enhance the participants’ knowledge on the

current procedures of imports and exports; besides

formulating an efcient mechanism to expedite

the clearance process. participants representing

various institutes (Public, private, university and

research-institutes) had attended the event. During

the discussion, key issues relating to delay in the

import and export of biological commodities were

highlighted. Moreover, recommendations were

scrutinized and development strategies were mapped

out. The roundtable discussion was successfully

concluded with the appointment of a working group

to address the issues discussed during the meeting

Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Hon. Senior minister for scientic affairs

addressing the event attendies


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Question arose as to the local people’s degree of

awareness about our country’s industries. Are they

truly proud of the country’s products, which stabilize

the economy by bringing in much needed foreign

income?

COSTI and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale

Zusammenarbeit) started a project called “Made in Sri

Lanka”, which is aimed at capturing and visualizing

the technical aspects involved in the value chains

of Sri Lankan industries. In addition to enhance the

competence in science, technology and innovation

aspects of Sri Lankan industries among local as well

as international entrepreneurs, local students and the

general public.

Subsequent to the rst session, (The rst session was

cinnamon) graphite industry was selected as the

second photo session of the project and GIZ and COST

personnel accompanied by Professional Photographe

Mr. Ralf Baker visited Kahatagaha Graphite Mines at

Dodamgaslanda in Kurunegala on the 19th of May 2014 to inspect the value chain of graphite production

The team could experience how the miners work

underground, up to a depth of 1310 feet; how the

world’s best and purest (99% purity) vein graphite is

mined and processed for export.

We were welcomed and looked after by all the

personnel including the Chairman Mr. D. Kalansooriya

of Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka LTD.

An up-and-coming project titled “Made in Sri Lanka”:unveiling its graphite session


The parties involved in Project at the end of the Graphite session

Worker at Kahatagaha Mines posing at the photo session

A Dialogue between COSTIand SLRC on “Science for allInitiation”

Team COSTI met with ofcials of Sri Lanka Rupavahin

Corporation for discussing and nding possible suppor

for “Science for All Initiative”. The meeting took place

on June 19, 2014 at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation

headquarters, Colombo. Mrs. Erin Wijekoon

Director, Educational Programmes lead the team orepresentatives from SLRC for this discussion.

Team COSTI and SLRC representatives during the discussion

Professional photographer Ralf Baker planning the session with

Kahatagaha mines staff

“Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one

of romance and passion.”

- Stephen Hawking


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A Coordinated Dialogue on Science for All

COSTI, in collaboration with SciDev.Net (http://www.

scidev.net/global) organized a Coordinated dialogue

on Science communication titled, “Mainstreaming

science technology and innovation for public

communication’, at Hotel Galadari, Colombo, on

29thMay 2014 The main objectives of this workshop were;

To generate a discussion towards the development of

an action plan/road map with effective mechanisms/

programmes etc. for popularizing science, technology

and innovation among different segments of the society.

To facilitate linkages and networking of

scientists and journalists working on science.

To enhance public awareness and understanding

of the importance of STI using print and electronic

media (radio, TV, Internet, Newspapers and Social

Media Networks such as Facebook and Twitter etc.)

To develop mechanisms to encourage and facilitate

cross-border exchange in eld of science in society

Expected Outcomes of this workshop were to Identify

linkages with existing science popularization activities

in Sri Lanka and to develop and coordinate strategies

for establishing and operationalizing a National

Coordinating Council on Science for All in Sri Lanka

to empower the people of Sri Lanka of all ages and

walks of life with science knowledge to enable

them to make informed decisions in everyday life.

Representatives from the State and Private

Mass Media institution and the Press institutions

Scientists, Science teachers and students from

selected schools, and Government secto

including Hon senior minister for scientic affairs

Prof. Tissa Vitarana, participated at this seminar


Mr. Nalaka Gunawardene and Mr. Ranjit Devraj during the

live discussion event

“To me there has never been a higher source ofearthly honor or distinction than that connected with

advances in science.”

- Isaac Newton (1643-1727

Journalist Dhaneshi Yatawara (Lake House) speaking at the event


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Team COSTI visits ColomboDockyard

Team COSTI made a eld visit to Colombo Dockyardon April 4, 2014. The main objective of this visit was

to see the largest passenger vessels ever made in Sri

Lanka. M.V. CORALS and M.V. LAGOON were made

by Colombo Dockyard PLC for the Indian Government.

It was revealed that these were built using Sri Lankan

human resources and technical knowledge. Team

COSTI also met with the senior management of

Colombo Dockyard headed by Engineer Mr. Mangala

Yapa.


“We live in a society exquisitely dependent onscience and technology, in which hardly anyone

knows anything about science and technology”

- Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Team COSTI during their Colombo Dockyard Visit

COSTI knowledge sharingsessions

Friday knowledge sharing sessions have become a

popular activity at COSTI where COSTI team members

share their knowledge and experience among the

colleagues. This gives the opportunity to every member

to further their knowledge in diverse elds.

Team Member Vindhya sharing her research knowledge on

“Traditional knowledge on snakebite treatments

Team Member Pathmakumara Jayasinghe speaking on Speleology

and Cave Science in Sri Lanka

Meeting with Minister ofEconomic Development

Recently, several members of the COSTI had the

opportunity to meet Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister

of Economic Development, at his ministry. The team

had a fruitful discussion with the minister relating to

the application of ST & I (Science, Technology and

Innovation) for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

Hon. Minster Basil Rajapaksa is very much interested

with the current activities of COSTI and requested

its continuous support to upgrade country’s SMEs.


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MembersCorner Sri Lankan SME sector and Future

Challenges-Ranjan Joseph (Statistician @ COSTI)

Small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) are important players in thenational economic system of anycountry with its degree of inuencetoward the policy support by thegovernment (Frietsch, 2013). The role ofSMEs in poor economies is very crucialas SMEs has to deal with economicallyweak customers and employees. As inmany other countries, Sri Lanka’s SMEsemploy a large number of people andcontribute largely to the gross domesticproduct (GDP). According to Reddy(1991), ‘SMEs have the capacity ofachieving faster economic growth inview of their high employment potential,lower gestation period and relativelylimited nancial requirement. SMEs

create more employment opportunitiesthan that of large industries. Theseare labor-intensive industries (UNInformation Agency, 1994) and theycreate lower innovation opportunitiesthan that of large enterprises. On theother hand, they are less attractive indrawing the attention in the face ofglobal competition. Further, their shareof Research and Development (R&D)expenditure and R&D engagement is

low on average.It is important to understand thechallenges and issues that SMEs arefaced with; especially, in Sri Lanka. Thatunderstanding is critical to give themsupport in terms of monetary and scal

policy and the regulations pertaining toan SME. It is not clear whether a properdenition is available in characterizingSri Lankan SMEs in terms of their turnover/balance sheet and the number ofemployees. Due to this problem,regulations are not so effective for this

sector and SMEs nd it difcult to obtainnancial tax and technical support.

The lack of a clear denition as to whatconstitutes an SME in Sri Lanka may bean advantage to the larger enterprisesseeking tax concessions and otherbenets, according to ‘private research

rm, Verite Research’.Sri Lanka today is considered a ‘lowermiddle level income country’ (LMIC)(Per capita income from US $ 4000 toUS $ 11000) and there should be aneffective monetary and scal policyalong with a framework for the nationto move to an ‘upper middle levelincome country’ (UMIC) (Per capitaincome from US $ 11000). This is usuallytermed the “middle level economictrap”. Some countries like South Koreaand Singapore have already moved tothe ‘upper middle levelincome’ category. The contribution

to their GDP from the hi-tech exportsis signicantly high as a result of

heavy investment on R&D and ST& I (Research and Development/Science, Technology and Innovation)sector. Countries such as Malaysia,Thailand remained LMICs for a longperiod. Therefore, they have realizedthe importance of further increase of

investment on ST & I sector to uplift theireconomic structure.A ruling on the development of theSME sector was stipulated in the 2014budget; inclusive of the followingcommitments; namely, recognizing itas a much stronger nancial services

sector, developing Sri Lanka as aprofessional service hub, strengtheningeducation and healthcare services,not promoting further subsidies, importsubstitution and encouraging R&D,innovation, technology expansion indomestic industries.

SMEs should realize that they havethe potential to engage in hi-techactivities, which could also bring aboua paradigm shift on the normal SMEmindset within Sri Lanka. To achieve iis a challenge that has to be faced by

eliminating the obstacles that may cropup.COSTI is developing as part of thecoordinating framework for SMEs a‘virtual institute’, which can performthe following tasks: identify clusterschallenges and competitiveness; ST &I interventions to improve the qualityand productivity; thereby, to improvethe potential of winning the foreigntrade and businesses. COSTI pays moreemphasis on the value chain of eachproduct and cluster in terms of ST & context and encourages achieving the

goal of an increase in high-tech exportsup to 15% of the total exports by 2020and the production of a roadmap toachieve the targets.

References:Reddy, R.J.P. 1991. Problems andDevelopment of Small Scale Industries InIndia, Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi,

Frietsch at el, 2013, SME Patening-AnEmprrical Analysis in Nine Countries (1)Fraunhofer ISI Discussion Papers InnovationSystems and Policy Analysis No. 36, ISSN 1612

1430, Karlsruhe, Germany, October 2013.

Can biogas be the next energysource to substitute conventiona

energy sources in Sri Lanka?- B L Sanjaya (Project Scientist @ COSTI)

Energy is a vital factor for eradicatingpoverty, improving human welfare andraising the living standards of a country(UNDP, et al. 2000). However, mostcurrent patterns of energy supply anduses are considered unsustainable (UN2001).


A Sri Lankan Spice ShopImage by: McKay Savage

A Man involved in Brass worksImage by: Dinesh C.


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The global energy map is changing,creating potentially far-reachingconsequences for energy markets andtrade. There was an interest for biogasduring the resurgence in oil and gasproduction in the United States. Theinterest was further strengthened, whensome countries retreat from nuclearpower. There is a rapid growth in the useof wind and solar technologies and theunconventional gas production. If newpolicy initiatives are broadened andimplemented in a concerted manner,it would be possible to improve theefciency of global energy. If everythinggoes well, this would ultimately be theturning point of energy crisis.Sri Lanka has a limited amount ofhydropower resources and limited forestfuels. Its primary concern is the import ofoil. Currently, oil imports consist of 30% ofexport earnings and about 6% of GDP.However, Sri Lanka’s strategy for theenergy security does not consider theimportance of low cost green energytechnology or the biogas based powergeneration. Furthermore, in the contextof Sri Lanka’s biogas, it could be calledthe ‘Cinderella’ among all renewableenergy sources. Yet, the attention thatit deserves due to its ‘bountiful potential’has not materialized (de Alwis, 2012).Biogas is a proven and establishedenergy source in many parts of theglobe, especially, in Asia. Severalcountries in Asia have embarked onlarge-scale domestic biogas programs:China (about 40 million householddigesters by 2010), India (about 4.5

million units by March 2010) and Nepal(more than 225,000 plants by the endof 2010). Sri Lanka is relatively laggingbehind with no more than 6,000 biogasunits installed at present. But improvedtechnological competitiveness andcompetence in Sri Lankan biogassystems could make Sri Lanka an energyhub in Asia. One of the interestingexamples so far not revealed is to checkthe applicability of biogas as a vehiclefuel. Researchers at the University ofMoratuwa with the help of the Ministryof Science and Technology have

successfully completed a pilot scaledemonstration of biogas as a transportfuel (de Alwis, 2012). This exampleclearly indicates the possibility of asuccessful implementation of biogasfuel stations in Sri Lanka to cut down thefossil fuel cost.Further we can promote the number ofassociated benets to the governmentand the respective markets. Theseinclude:•Reduce the dependency on imported

fossil fuels;•Reduced the current account decits

in relation to energy;•Lower the national greenhouse gas

emissions resulting from fossil fuels andreduction in methane emissions fromwaste treatment;•Boost up Sri Lanka’s green image byburning clean, locally grown fuel; thiswill give a concrete advantage overthe export of products, reducing theenvironmental footprint;•Local environment would be benetedfrom this by reducing pollution andimproved soil fertility;•Industries will develop, providing

employment and economic growth torural regions.It is worthwhile to introduce low costgreen energy technology (biogas units)for schools and government institutionsespecially for cooking purposes. Assuch, it is important to educate thestudents and employees about the useof biogas. In addition, the introductionof a government loan scheme having alow interest rate will enable the generalpublic to purchase this biogas units andthis would ultimately commercialize thegreen technology.

References:

http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=y7x2CCP21AQ

Reuse of nitrate contaminatedgroundwater in Kalpitiya region, for

its agriculture - Pathmakumara Jayasingha (DeputyProject Manager @ COSTI)

Growing global population has led toan increasing trend in food productionAs such, more agricultural activities arecarried out throughout the country

Various developments have occurredwhile expanding the horizons oagriculture by the incorporation ohigher technology. As a result, naturaenvironment has been adverselyaffected. Expecting a higher yieldfarmers used to apply a higher amounof inorganic fertilizers such as ureaThis is a common practice causing theadditional urea to ultimately end upin the aquifers leading to groundwatecontamination. As a developingcountry, Sri Lanka is presentlyexperiencing groundwater pollutiondue to intensive agricultural activities.Kalpitiya peninsula is one of thehighly productive agricultural areasin the country, specically importan

as a coastal groundwater aquifesystem where very good fresh wateoccurrences are in existence. Nearlyfor ve decades, agricultural activitieshave been carried out in Kalpitiya. Theintensive application of urea during thepresent agricultural activities carriedout in the peninsula, had caused thegroundwater to be contaminatedwith nitrate. This is mainly due tothe haphazard fertilizer application

practices, extensive groundwateutilization and the higher permeabilityof sandy soil. Out sourced agriculturapractice had evolved mainly due toinfertile sandy soil and semi-arid climatein the area. Farmers of the peninsulahave been in the practice of usinggroundwater extensively installing dugwells as well as shallow tube wells in thesandy soil. This causes instant inltrationof added fertilizers to leach throughthe soil prole. It is recorded thagroundwater in most of the agriculturalands have been polluted with nitrates

These nitrate concentrations haveexceeded the guideline values of WHONitrate contamination is a big issue ingroundwater sector of the countryRecovery is the major problem whichinvolves a lot of money to use hightech processes of ion exchange suchas reverse osmosis and electro dialysisOnce urea is added to the permeableKalpitiya sandy soil, quick inltrationand nitrication promptly takes place

At present nitrate concentrations in thegroundwater aquifers of Kalpitiya seems


Boiling a kettle of water using thehousehold biogas plantImage courtesy of Sunday Times

“The science of today is the

technology of tomorrow.”

- Edward Teller (1908-2003)


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to be gradually increasing. Interestinglythe community of the peninsuladepends on this contaminatedgroundwater for their drinking and otherday to day purposes. Health issues canarise due to long-term consumptionof nitrate contaminated water andespecially infants can suffer from“methamoglobinemia” (also called‘Blue Baby Syndrome’). However, atthe moment no proper health surveyhas been carried out to distinguish anyhealth problem in the area.Anyhow increasing trend of nitratepollution must be controlled in Kalpitiyapeninsula; monitoring should continueas long as the farmers apply ureafertilizers without any control. Until then,groundwater of the Kalpitiya cannotbe used as a source of freshwater inthe future. Already some parts of thearea are recorded as contaminated.Reusing of nitrate contaminated wateras a nitrate source is an innovativeidea because it will reduce both nitrateconcentration in groundwater anduse of urea by the farmers. Gradualdecrease of nitrate due to absorbingthe dissolved nitrate in contaminatedwater by the plants will eventually purifythe aquifer water. Reduction of theapplication of urea fertilizers minimizesthe fertilizer overheads of the farmers.Retention of water at the top mostlayer of soil is a difcult process due to

highly permeable sandy material andhence there is no time or limited timefor the plant to absorb the nutrients.Application of an impermeable layer

such as a clay layer or polyethylenelayer just under the plant/vegetableroot system can hold water whilecreating an articial micro environmentwithin the uppermost part of the soil.Reuse of nitrate contaminated water asa source of nitrate has been tested inthe Kalpitiya eld by preparing special

soil beds. Two soil beds were preparedwith a polyethylene layer lining at adepth of 20 cm and lled with the same

sandy soil of the Kalpitiya eld. Redonion (Allium cepa), a short-term crop,was planted with the same manner as

in the normal agricultural eld there.One bed was supplied only with nitratecontaminated water. Its nitrate levelwas recorded as 100 mg/L. The otherwas added with nitrate contaminatedwater and crop specic fertilizers as

done in the eld. A plot at the normal

eld was managed with commonfertilizer practices. Promising results wereobtained from the bed that was appliedwith nitrate contaminated water as wellas specic crop fertilizers and the leavesand bulbs of this bed were well grownthan that of other beds. It is also noted

that enhancement in water retentionby applying an impermeable layer hasimproved the absorption of nutrients.In practical situations the polyethylenelayer can be replaced by a thin layerof clay, which can also enhance thequality of the sandy soil. By applyingthis method for a period of time, nitratecontaminated water can be puriedwithout using additional urea. . Finally,extra cost for the urea can be minimizedwhile farmers get additional benets inseveral ways.

References :Jayasingha, P., Pitawala, A. andDharmagunawardhana. 2013. Fate of ureafertilizers in sandy aquifers of Kalpitiya; alaboratory simulation. Journal of National

Science Foundation, Sri Lanka. 41(2); 121-129

Heading towards wonder of Asia:

Right time for Sri Lanka to bringin hi-tech process and product

innovations to its traditional exports- Chandana Hewawasam (Project Scientist

@ COSTI)

According to Sri Lanka’s currentcomplexity map (http://atlas.media.mit.edu/prole/country/lka/), almost

99 % of its products are simple productswhich can be copied by othercompetitors easily. Therefore, Sri Lanka isfacing the problem of maintaining andretaining high economic growth. If thecountry wishes to move up and makethat upward movement faster andsustainable, it has to convert its simpleeconomy to a hi-tech based complex

economy within the next couple of

decades – sooner the better!If Sri Lanka as a middle income countrycan increase exports by creatingconditions to allow producers to moveinto more (technologically) advancedprocesses and products based onstrategic STI (science, technology andinnovation) interventions, we can fostehope to achieve Country’s goal oincreasing its hi-tech exports from 1.5%to 10 % by 2016 as stated by MahindaChinthana vision for the future 20142016.However, Sri Lanka is still bankingheavily on primary products such astea, garments and some minerals asraw materials (Figure 1).At present, we have very few regulaexports of hi-tech products - mainlyparts and accessories of computersElectronics, Electrical machinerynon-electrical machinery andPharmaceuticals, which have beencategorized under global hi-techproduct classications such as HS and

SITC (Rathnasekera, S.2013). Furtherwith respect to high tech products, wecannot compete with high tech giantslike South Korea or Germany becausewe are lagging behind in right STprerequisites and infrastructure. Movinginto ‘economic complexity’ is importanfor countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand andMalaysia. However, in this contextMalaysia and Thailand has morechances to forge ahead, due to theisuperior investments in R&D and humancapital planning. Sri Lanka is still laggingbehind because its R&D investment is

still about 0.1% of GDP (Fig 2).


Sri Lankan Exports: Image courtesy of Observatory of Economic ComplexityLink: http://atlas.media.mit.edu/prole/country/lka/


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Some changes to the prevailingmindsets are necessary. Both theprivate sector and the government ofSri Lanka should not be too content withthe sources of prots mainly derived

from trade, commerce, banking &nance, real estate, etc. According

to Adam Smith, one of the world’srst free-market capitalists, these areunproductive activities because theyare not involved in producing value butare merely facilitating value creation(Smith A., 2005).Further, the textile and garment industrywas the starting point for many emergingnations when they had embarked ontransforming their economies fromagriculture-based to manufacture andservices based economies. This wasthe pattern of economic developmentwhich one can witness in the case of

South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan andSingapore in early 1960s and 1970s (

Radelets S.,et al, 1997 ).However, the nature of the labor-intensive industry is such that itsproductivity improvement does notgenerate a sufcient output growthon a continuous and sustainablebasis without the support of signicant

improvement in technology to elevatean economy to a high income level.Hence, a country has to adopt astrategy to drop the labor-intensiveproducts and go for products that willgenerate a bigger output with lessernumber of workers. At the same time

country should encourage more Hi-techproduct innovations for our traditionalexports like tea, rubber, gems, graphiteto increase the % contribution ofmanufactured Hi-tech exports from1% to 10% as government planned toachieve by 2016.During the last three decades, thetextile and garment industry did serve SriLanka well. Before 1977, Sri Lanka did nothave any export oriented production ofclothing (readymade garments) and itsexports were mainly composed of themain commercial agricultural products

– tea, rubber and coconut – bringingnearly a three fourth of its total exportearnings. When the unemployment ratewas running at around 24 percent in the1970’s (Perera,B., 2001), it was the textileand the garment sector that cameto the country’s rescue by providingproductive employment to a largenumber of job seekers in the country.Hence, the contribution of this sector toSri Lanka’s economy in the past shouldnot be underestimated.However, will such traditional industriescontinue to serve Sri Lanka in the sameway in the future as well? A simpleanswer for that question has been givenby Mr W.A Wijewardena, the FormerDeputy Governor, Central Bank of SriLanka. As he pretty well pointed out inone of his paper article in the DailyFT in2013, the threat to traditional industries

may come from a totally unexpectedsource, namely, the advancements in

disruptive technology. An example is‘doing away with the sewing machineand using the 3D printer’ for stitchinghome-made dresses.While increased value addition inexports is valuable, there are limitationsand constraints to achieve this in SriLanka, A clear instance is that of tyremanufactures for which the importcontent is considered to be smallas natural rubber is produced in thecountry. Yet even in such a commoditythe import content is high as canvas,steel wire, chemicals and other inputs

and machinery have to be imported.Garments exports also have high importcontent as the textiles and fabric andseveral other inputs such as thread haveto be imported. While it is advantageousto export commodities with a high valueaddition, the prevailing limitations needto be recognized (The Sunday Times.Nov.11, 2012).Even where the value addition is lowif large markets are captured thenthe aggregate impact could besubstantial. Such changes in the patternof exports by moving away from simple

production processes to more complexproduction processes “largely drivenby investments in research, technicaeducation and an improvement in thework ethic, we would be able to secureour value added export marketsreduce competition from our currencompetitors, avoid the middle incometrap and sustain growth and prosperity(Flaaen et al, 2013). Further, there areprospects for the country to export highvalue “knowledge based” services alsoFor a sufcient expansion of such exportsit is vital that the country’s educationshould be improved qualitativelyespecially in science, technologyand information technology. Thedevelopment of the knowledge basethrough appropriate educationareforms is a vital precondition toenhance such exports.Coordinating Secretariat for ScienceTechnology and Innovation has alreadyinitiated a constructive dialogue andhas made a collaboration platformfor working together with EDBCustom, DCS, IDB and other relevantstakeholders/Key players of the exporsector in Sri Lanka. Our attempt is todevelop a country specic denitionfor “Hi-tech exports and developmenof KPIs for measuring Hi-tech exportsfrom Sri Lanka. This joint project wilsupport Policy makers in increasing hitech exports from 1.5% to 10% by 2016as mentioned in “Unstoppable Sri Lanka2020”.References:1.Rathnasekera, S.U.2013 (2013). An analysi

on Exports of High-Technology Products foEconomic Growth of Sri Lanka,Policy andStrategic Planning Division,Sri Lanka ExporDevelopment Board 2.Smith A. (2005). An Inquiry into the natureand causes of the wealth of nations. Anelectronic classics series publication ( http:/www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/adamsmith/wealth-nations.pdf ).

3.Steven Radelet, Jeffrey Sachs and JongWha Lee (1997). Economic Growth inAsia. A background paper for the AsianDevelopment Bank’s study ( http://pdfusaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pcaaa746.pdf ).

4.Perera B. (2001). Impact of decentralizationon rural development at the local levelCountry case study: Sri Lanka at theregional workshop of Food and AgricultureOrganization held from 4-6 Novembe1998 Chiang Mai, Thailand (http://wwwfao.org/docrep/004/ac158e/ac158e0ghtm#bm16.1 ) .5.Aaron Flaaen, Ejaz Ghani, Saurabh Mishra(2013). World Bank Working PRE Paper onMalaysia http://www.voxeu.org/articlehow-avoid-middle-income-traps-evidence-malaysia).

6.The Sunday Times. November 11, 2012.


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STI (Science, Technology andInnovation) Contributions to Lanka;

winning or losing opportunities

Most people think that it is a wasteof money to invest on science andtechnology. They argue that scienceand technology had hardly contributedto the welfare of the country. Answeris sought as to whether the maximum

potential of research and developmenthad been achieved or else neglected.A study of the activities henceforthlisted, can give an insight as to thevalue of STI and an identication of the

most appropriate approach to achievethe best possible results.

1. STI contributions to Sri Lanka’seconomy

Research carried out relating to nation’sstaple food, rice (Oryza sativa), hasachieved immense success due to STIactivities. For example, during the lastsixty years, sixty new varieties and fteen

hybrid varieties have been released bythe relevant research organizations.Those varieties have contributed upto 70% of the country’s rice harvest.Recently, they introduced some riceverities able to produce higher yieldsof short duration and also to withstandinclement weather.As far as the mineral industry of SriLanka is concerned, research carriedout by Prof. Lal Fernando (University ofMoratuwa) is instrumental in obtainingthe maximum benet out of mineral

resources. It is to be noted that FrothFlotation plant developed by Prof. LalFernando has reorganized the graphiteindustry. It is presently installed atBogala Graphite mine and is capableof upgrading graphite from low-gradeto high-grade. As such, it was possibleto achieve a considerable increase inexport earning compared to that ofunrened material.Research carried out by various sectorsof the Department of Agriculture wasinstrumental in developing high yieldingexport crops, fruits and vegetables.At the same time, the Departmentof Animal Production and Health toopromoted and breed animal varietiesthat are ideally suited to the country.Thus, the relevant STI activities havecontributed immensely for the benetof the country.In the eld of engineering too STIactivities had contributed immensely.Research carried out by Dr. A. N.S. Kulasinghe, the world renownedengineer paved path to introduce thepre stressed concrete technology toSri Lanka in 1949. Many years after theinvention Dr. Kulasinghe successful in

obtaining the patent for his pre stressedconcrete technology in 1956. Thistechnology is now used throughout theworld.

2. Lost opportunitiesIn 1955, Mr. Ray Wijewardhane inventeda two wheel tractor to facilitate smallscale farming in Sri Lanka. Sadly, thecountry has lost the opportunity toharness the maximum potential of thisinvention because a manufacturerbased in the United Kingdom called‘Landmaster” acquired the technologyfrom him for a smaller fee and in additiongranting him a fellowship to study atHarvard University. This UK brandedtractor captured the market, deprivingSri Lanka the opportunity to market itsown invention. This is a classic exampleof local inventions losing their credibilityto some outsider, thereby, hinderingmass production and depriving thecountry of its apt economic benet.

Sri Lanka is a country well versed inindigenous medicine. This traditionalmedicine has advanced quite a lotthrough research and development.Sometimes the country was subjectedto a fair amount of losses due tonegligence. One such incident is SriLanka’s indigenous plant variety called‘Kotala Himbutu’ being patented inJapan (Fuji Films Company - April 1,

2010). This type of incident is quitecommon with Sri Lanka’s indigenousmedicinal herbs. As such, this is an areawhere lost opportunities are prevalenteven today.COSTI’s InitiationWe have set up a dedicated secitonin our ofcial website for creating a

database of local STI contributionsand Lost opportunities. This will allowanybody who is interesed in S, T and Ito share their experiences. Visit our web

via http://www.costi.gov.lk/index.php/en/lostopportunities and contribute sowe can learn through developmenand be better prepared next time tograb the best opprtunities to drive oucountry towards prosperity.

-Team COSTI

Please note that the ideas and opinionsexpressed in the members corner aresolely the authors personal views and notthe COSTI institutional View.


The rst landmaster in the world invented

by Mr. Ray Wijewardene: A great

opportunity lost

Image courtesy of: http://www.

raywijewardene.net/innovation.html

We need your feedback!

We welcome your ideas!

The Innovation Eye is published quarterly.

We love to hear your ideas and sugges-

tions on wasys to improve our communi-

cation with you, write to us:

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Coordinating Secretariat for Science

Technology and Innovation (COSTI) ,

3rd Floor, Standard Chartered Building,

Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1, Sri

Lanka

Phone (General): +94 (0) 114 354254, 113

301 992, 113 133 025 Fax: +94 (0) 112 354

566

Hot line: +94 (0) 113 133 007

Web: http://costi.gov.lk

“Science must be open,accessible, and free –

for its own fate, and forours.”

- Neil deGrasse TysonAmerican astrophysicist, author,

and science communicator

Food forBrain


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COSTI ofcial Facebook Page/STandIcoordinatingsecretariat

The COSTI Blog

@costi_sl

The COSTI Channel

The COSTI group

http://www.slideshare.net/costi2014

The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and

Innovation (COSTI) was established on February 1, 2013as mandated by the cabinet decision of September 9,

2011 with the specic aim of coordination and monitoring

of Science, Technology and Innovation activities in the

country. It will also work towards promoting value addition

and commercialisation in line with the National Science

Technology and Innovation (STI) Strategy of Sri Lanka

approved by the Cabinet in August 2010.

Like to know about COSTI’s road map? Read the “Science.Technology and Innovation strategy for Sri Lanka: NationalCoordination and Monitoring Framework”

To download, click on the image or visit :

http://www.costi.gov.lk

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COSTI_Innovation Eye Newsletter_August 2014