Presidential awards for young inventors
[July 25, 2005 - 10.00 GMT]

The 10^th Awards Ceremony to felicitate Sri Lanka’s young inventors was held at the Presidents House on Friday 22^nd July. Several of the inventions were on display with the young architects on hand to explain to the visitors how they were motivated to embark on their novel creations. 

On President Kumaratunga’s initiative during the past decade young inventors were encouraged and some of them have won international awards. The inventors who were adjudged winners for years 2002 and 2003 received their awards and certificates from the President. 

President Kumaratunga observed originality and innovation are very essential for the economic advancement of a developing country. She said our forefathers possessed remarkable expertise in irrigation and architecture; even today foreign experts are astounded by their creativity. She lamented our creative talents declined due to centuries of colonial rule. 

The failure of successive post independent governments to create a suitable environment for scientific and technological development compelled our great scientists to seek greener pastures. 

Although Sri Lanka and India were on an equal footing with regard to technology at the time of independence, the massive support for scientific and technological development given by Sri Nehru stimulated scientific and technological development in India, said the President. 

The government has allocated Rs. 200mn from the last budget to establish New Inventors’ Circles, of which Rs. 100mn is provided from the President’s Fund and the balance by the Treasury. As a result we have been able to identify the new inventors, provide them financial assistance and incentives and help them to obtain patent rights.  

The Institute of Fundamental Studies, defunct at the time of our government assuming office, has now been developed to a high standard. Financial assistance has been extended from the President’s Fund to local experts for their research programmes under the National Research Council.    

The President said she is confident that the Minister Bogollagama and his staff will have the strength to perform all these tasks effectively and assured them her government’s support for their work in the future as well.

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Last Updated Date: July 25, 2005 - 10.00 GMT