The Indian and Sri Lankan delegations were led respectively by Dr. Arabinda Mitra, Adviser and Head, Bilateral Cooperation Division, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and Mrs. Dhara Wijayatilake, Secretary, Ministry of Technology Research, Government of Sri Lanka, a press release issued by India High Commission in Colombo said Thursday.

During the Joint Committee meeting, both sides discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of science & technology and identified common areas for future cooperation. They agreed that bilateral cooperation in science and technology needed to be stepped up.

As an outcome of the meeting, the two sides signed a Programme of Cooperation in the Field Science & Technology for the period 2011-14.

The two sides identified several areas for cooperation, areas including food science & technology, nuclear technology applications, oceanography and earth sciences, bio-technology & pharmaceuticals, materials sciences, medical research including traditional medical systems and spatial data infrastructure and space sciences.

The two sides also agreed to take up joint science and technology projects, conduct joint scientific symposia and workshops and exchange of experts.