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Sri Lanka exports only one percent of high tech products and to address the widening trade gap the country will have to increase its high tech exports, National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka Chairperson Prof Sirimali Fernando said.

Addressing a gathering summoned to announce the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the NSF in Colombo recently, she said the recommendation was that a country should spend at least one percent of its GDP on research. But this is done only by developed countries and they invest more than one percent. South Korea invests five percent and USA and Israel four percent.

In the USA it was shown that 90% of its economic development is based on technology. But in Sri Lanka’s development agenda technological development had not got any prominence. “We were so happy to get technology from outside and use it. But we didn’t develop it. Even the industry’s mind set was the same. Unless we spend the money on research wisely and invest in high-end technology we are not going to make it.” She said the country faces a widening trade gap and if this is to be addressed the state has to increase the value of its experts. “The only way to do that is by increasing the high tech exports,” she said.

Windy and showery condition over the island is expected to reduce gradually from tonight, Met. Department said.

Introducing a novel and inspiring facet to innovative creativity and thinking, the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) troops in partnership with local students and experts in the field of cyber technology staged a mega exhibition, named ‘The Eastern Cyber Tech - 2018’ at the Batticaloa Advanced Technological Institute (ATI) premises during 15 - 16 August.

Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera will visit Sri Lanka from August 20 to 22. It will be the first time ever for a Japanese Defense Minister to visit Sri Lanka.

With a view to expanding the document attestation services provided through the Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Divisional Secretariat level, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministries of Foreign and Home Affairs on 16 August 2018.

Prevailing windy and showery condition over the island is expected to continue further, Met. Department says.

The Department of Railway according to a decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers has taken steps to renovate 200 abandoned compartments with all facilities which have been imported to the country in 1989 and 1992.

Introducing a novel and inspiring facet to innovative creativity and thinking, the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) troops in partnership with local students and experts in the field of cyber technology staged a mega exhibition, named ‘The Eastern Cyber Tech - 2018’ at the Batticaloa Advanced Technological Institute (ATI) premises during 15 - 16 August.

Prevailing windy and showery condition over the island is expected to continue, the Met. Department says.