Science & Technology for Society Forum 2016

07th-10th September 2016

Nelum Pokuna / Waters Edge

Analysis of resource use presentation by Prof Stefan

25 February 2015
University of Moratuwa
Colombo,Srilanka

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Evidence based STI approaches to achieve sustainable
development goals Meeting

26 November 2014
MILODA,Ministry of Finance and Planning
Colombo,Srilanka

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One-day Free hands on training on SCOPUS/SciVal

To support the research culture of Sri Lanka, COSTI is organizing a one-day hands on training on SCOPUS/SciVal
research database, free of charge. Scopus, is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature,
featuring smart tools to track, analyze and visualize research. It covers nearly 21,000 titles from over 5,000 publishers,
of which 20,500 are peer-reviewed journals in the scientific, technical, medical, and social sciences (including arts and
humanities). Elsevier integrates institutional and external data sources with information from Scopus and provide
customized research performance analysis and reports through SciVal.The training session will be held on the 7th of
October, 2014, from 9.00am-4.30pm at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Colombo.
Participation is by invitation only.

Workshop on Harnessing Biological Resources for Economic
Development (22^nd  August 2014)

Biological Resources are the natural capital of a nation to fuel the economy of a country. It has important economic,
technological and social implications for the nation. Agricultural crops, livestock, forestry and wildlife, wetlands,
costal and marine resources are some of the major biological resources which are enriched with high diversity and
have potential to create wealth for the nation. Sri Lanka can obtain greater benefits through management of these
resources such as close mutual or multilateral collaboration on exploration, utilization and conservation of important
plant and animal species, microorganisms, genes, enzymes, or other bio- active products that have potential
economic value.
Therefore, the STI policy has identified this as a major area of concern, and accordingly COSTI expects to establish
a Virtual Institute on the subject, expecting optimal mobilization of all available resources in the country. In this
regard, COSTI is organizing a Coordinating Workshop on 'Harnessing Biological Resources for Economic
Development' on 22 August 2014 from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration
(SLIDA), Colombo 07.

Roundtable Discussion on Developing an Advanced Marine Craft for Deep
Sea Fishing (28^th July 2014)

COSTI is facilitating the development of detailed proposal on advanced marine craft for deep sea fishing with the 
participation of public and private sector institutes. The development of advanced marine craft is selected and 
included as a key development project under Science and Technology (page 454) in Unstoppable Sri Lanka 2020: 
a public investment strategy document by the government of Sri Lanka. The project will be implemented under the 
purview of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development. The private sector, as the major end 
user of the product is expected to play key role in the development of advanced marine craft.

The development of the advanced marine craft will focus on improving the following aspects.

   a) Energy/fuel efficiency and use of renewable energy (bi model of fossil fuel and renewables)
   b) Increased capacity and capability (onboard refrigeration facility, better postharvest handling facilities, 
   searching of fishing grounds etc.) of the vessel
   c) Seaworthy, safe, reliable, durable and environmental friendly
   d) Ease of operation and maintenance
   e) Localized manufacturing and maintenance
   f) Incorporating advance material in vessel development (during the second phase)

The project is expected to contribute towards increased export earnings, improved food security, employment 
creation, safety of the fishing crew and enhanced technical capability in Sri Lanka. As part of the facilitation 
process COSTI is organizing a roundtable discussion, involving state and non-state stakeholders, in order to 
gather stakeholder perspectives and secure private sector’s collaboration and reflect them in the detailed proposal.

A roundtable discussion was organized by the Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation
(COSTI to facilitate the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Robotics Application (CERA).  The honourable
senior minister for scientific affairs, Professor Tissa Vitarana graced the occasion as the chief guest. The honourable
senior minister in his address emphasized the necessity of such initiatives to accelerate economic growth through
science, technology and innovation. Further it was pointed out, that youth moving away from certain traditional industries
is expected to negatively affect production in such sectors in future. He also highlighted the role science technology and
innovation had played in the economic development and prosperity of many developed countries.

Roundtable_Discussion_Robotec_16_Jul_@014\DSC_0035.JPG" >The event was attended by both public and private
sectors including key government institutes, prominent private sector companies and leading researchers in the 
field of robotics and automation. CERA was initiated by COSTI through the National Council on Electronics and 
Robotics, and was included in unstoppable Sri Lanka 2020: a public investment strategy, and had been earmarked 
with public funding in the current public sector investment program. As CERA was initiated to support the industry 
in promoting R& D and converting Research into Rupees, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will play a key 
role in implementing the project.   The discussion centred on the role expected of CERA as well as sectors which 
it should address initially.  - Pulendran Tharmendra(COSTI)

COSTI Roundtable Discussion Series II; Value Addition to Clay

One of the prime objectives of the Coordination Secretariat for Science and Technology (COSTI) is to join
hands with the government to improve high tech exports from 1.5% to 10% by 2015. It had also identified
clay (kaolinite, ball clay, red clay and montmorillonite) as a substance that can yield exorbitant profits in the
future, provided it is properly used for the production of hi-tech goods. In order to facilitate the value addition
procedure, COSTI is to initiate a series of brainstorming sessions among all the stakeholders. Thus, COSTI
would be able to coordinate research activities relating to clay and also to harness the expertise of the 
Sri Lankan expatriate scientists abroad.

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Workshop for the establishment of a National Science Center

COSTI Round Table Discussion: Value Addition of Graphite

Coordinating Workshop for Biotech Stakeholders organized by COSTI was held on 21 November 2013
from 8.30 AM to 3.00 PM at IVY Room, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Experts in bio-technology related
fields from research institutes, universities and industry sectors participated the workshop.
Hon. Senior Minister for Scientific Affairs Prof. Tissa Vitarana, was also present at the Inauguration and the
first session to brief the workshop on the government perspectives and to guide the workshop.

National Council Co-chairs Workshop..... 05th November 2013

National Council Co-chairs Workshop: Strategy on Increasing Hi-tech Exports from 1.5% to 10%:
VIDU Roll Out and Technology Road Mapping organized by COSTI was held on December 05, 2013 at
Senior Ministers Secretariat, Carlwil Place, Colombo.

The workshop was chaired by Hon. Senior Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana. Representatives form the
leading private sector organizations and Universities were present at the event. The COSTI team
was lead by Prof. Ajith de Alwis, Dr. Mubaraq, Dr. Noble Jayasuriya and Project Scientist Ms. Amali
Ranasinghe.

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COSTI away day ... 11th October, 2013

A day that can talk everybody freely, without considering directors, mangers, scientiests. It was a
concept intorduced by Dr. Geetha ( Director IT) to talk baout all the staff problems with freedom.

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Workshop on Future Earth... 17^th-18^th September 2013

Workshop on Future Earth was organized by COSTI is at Galadari Hotel, Colombo. The main objective
of the workshop is to develop a science technology and innovation (STI) agenda for Sri Lanka.

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Workshop on S, T, I Initiatives and R & D on 01^st August 2013

The first awareness workshop on National Survey on Science, Technology and Innovation Initiatives
and Research & Development organized by COSTI in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank
was held on 01st of August 2013 at BMICH.Researchers, Scientists and Key personnel from the Line
Ministries, Universities and Research Institutes participated the event.  

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Round table discussion on the National survey on 15^th August, 2013

Science, Technology and Innovation initiatives and Research and Development in Sri Lanka was
conducted by COSTI on 15th August 2013 at the Asian Development Bank head Resident Mission
in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Pilot testing and assessment of the questionnaire was carried out with the representatives from
the Tea Research Institute, Ministry of Industry and & Commerce, National Science Foundation,
University of Moratuwa and University of Colombo

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 COSTI web Launch on 10^th July 2013

The COSTI web was launched on 10 july 2013 by Hon.Senior minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana. COSTI social media
platforms also laaunched at the same day.  

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