The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. When we speak in this manner, we see that through school education, science is provided to children via general subjects. However, for those studying subject streams like Commerce, those opportunities are much fewer. Therefore, for those students, to provide a basic understanding of science, to create dialogue among peers, to give a foundation on science, we can form science societies or Science Clubs. Although this has happened to some extent in certain schools, it should be identified as a fundamental requirement across the entire school system. I noted the Hon. Minister, in his speech, giving priority to this. The Ministry’s Advisory Council is also taking the lead in this. Let me give a small example. In elementary science, we learn the principles and technologies. But popularizing simple things like why water in a clay pot feels cool and why water in an aluminum vessel quickly gets warm must happen through the school system.

¶ 02 Therefore, funds have been allocated under 11816 to undertake this in various ways. An allocation of Rs. 100 million has been made for implementing the national science and technology policy—“Releasing funds for six ongoing research projects, monitoring progress, commercializing completed research projects, and providing facilities for intellectual property protection.” This is very important. To the public eagerly awaiting new inventions in our country, to students waiting to innovate, we say: this is your time. If your new discovery emerges through competition and the Inventors’ Commission confers awards, the Ministry of Science and Technology has allocated funds to support them up to commercial production. Moreover, institutions like the Inventors’ Commission, the NSF, and several others will protect them financially, socially, and commercially and give them a push forward. Therefore, we recognize this as an opportunity for inventors in our country. In line with this aspiration, substantial provisions have been allocated in this Budget to strengthen these institutions. We thank the President as well. Thank you very much.