The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the Serendipity Knowledge program, 'Innovation for Economic Transformation organized by Asian Development Bank (ADB) today (June 19) at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.
The "Serendipity Knowledge Program" (SKOP) is ADB's knowledge program dedicated to share knowledge on issues relevant to Sri Lanka alongside catalyze a long-term engagement among the government, international experts, and other stakeholders to support strengthening the national innovation ecosystem.
Delivering opening remarks, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need of innovation for overcoming economic crisis and the middle income economic trap and noted that the government is committed to set in the policy directions partnering effectively with the private sector and promoting innovation by active involvement throughout the innovation chain.
Further, the Prime Minister stated that even though Sri Lanka has a strong foundation for innovation, there is a disconnect resulting in Sri Lanka ranked 89th out of 113 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2024. For decades, there is an underinvested attention drawn to the higher education and research. Hence, the gross expenditure on research and development is just 0.1% of GDP.
Our government is committed to changing this trajectory. We will increase funding for research and development and invest strategically in higher education.
The event was attended by the Country Director of Sri Lanka Resident Mission ADB, Takafumi Kadono, Secretary to Prime Minister, G. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Education and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, and officials and Faculty members representing Universities of Sri Lanka.
