The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. Unlike other Ministries, the Ministry of Science and Technology could not function continuously for a long time. At times it functioned; at times it was abolished; names changed; parts were merged; by 2022 it had effectively ceased.

¶ 02 After 2005, by 2006–2007, Science and Technology was removed from Cabinet rank; by 2012–2013 it became the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research; in 2016 “technology” was dropped and it became “Science and Research”; in 2019 it reverted to “Science, Technology and Research” under a non-Cabinet Minister; by 2022 there was no functioning Ministry. Without continuity, it could not grow like other Ministries. The current Minister, Hon. (Dr.) Krishantha Abeysekera, took over in such a context.

¶ 03 In my school, our crest bore the motto “Vidyaa dadaati vinayam”—science/knowledge bestows discipline. Through science there is great capacity to instill discipline. The other side is superstition, which historically thrived due to public ignorance and fear. Today superstition operates through a small group manipulating the public. Since 2005, the subjects under Science and Technology were stripped, renamed, deactivated based on Ministers’ preferences—to avoid scientific scrutiny on procurement and technical decisions in other Ministries. Without a national policy, institutions were scattered.

¶ 04 We believe the Ministry is now given due prominence in this Budget for a true national resurgence. When considering State policy, this Ministry must be a guiding star to Departments, statutory bodies and councils. While they can take independent decisions, the final scientific determinations should be obtained from Science and Technology. For that, we need training and preparation, after years without continuity. Rs. 2,800 million has been allocated for rehabilitation and reorganization of the now-unified institutions, and Rs. 2,200 million in capital for development projects—to improve basic facilities for scientists, inspectors and officers and move forward. Under the President’s policy, Rs. 750 million is allocated for National Quality Infrastructure Systems to strengthen institutions and raise national quality.

¶ 05 These were formerly dispersed and little known to the public—such as the National Institute of Fundamental Studies in Hanthana, which independently conducted research without political direction; the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, which actively sought inventors in schools and elsewhere without Ministerial attention; the National Engineering Research and Development Centre; National Research Council; Gene Technology institutions; NSF; the Planetarium; Arthur C. Clarke Institute; National Innovation Agency; Fund for Sri Lankan Inventors; National Science and Technology Commission; Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology; Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology; Industrial Technology Institute; Sri Lanka Standards Institution; the Centre of Excellence for Robotics; and the Vidatha Resource Centres.

¶ 06 The main challenge is ensuring policy vision and inter-ministerial coordination. Funds have been allocated for this, with nearly Rs. 1 billion for innovation. Now we must create a grassroots scientific renaissance—free people from superstition and nourish them with science.

¶ 07 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, you have two more minutes, Hon. Member.