In an era our country is being developed after a 30 years war, we should encourage local inventors, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

New inventions and practical researches based on them, which serve the country, are needed today, he added. President said that the local inventions should be presented to the world and thereby help bring revenue to the country.

The President made these observations speaking at the ceremony for Presidential Awards for Sri Lankan Inventions 2008-2009-2010, held in Temple Trees yesterday (Jan. 27).

Best inventions of the fields of public welfare, industries & technology, engineering, medicine, physics and environment were awarded at this ceremony.

Dr. Shantha Jayathilaka Bandara Lenadora won the award for the best inventor of the year 2010 by the President. This award won for inventing a pneumatic self- retaining surgical retractor system. There were no awards for Best Inventor in 2008 and 2009.