- Tech Ministry seeks to enhance investments, jobs in tech field
The Ministry of Technology is to introduce new laws concerning the research and innovation sectors in order to enhance technology related investment opportunities within the country and to encourage the new generation to pursue more careers in the technology field, The Daily Morning learned.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (11), a senior official in the Ministry said that the Ministry has observed a lack of rules and regulations which promote innovation and technology based investment opportunities which could directly affect the economic development of the country. “The Ministry has understood that there is a need for new laws to promote a technology based economic system as we are in the third decade of the 21st Century which is very modern and competitive. When it comes to developed countries such as the United States of America, China, Japan, South Korea and India, they have a very strong legal framework that provides a healthy environment to do innovations and research. For example, it is very easy to get a licence for someone’s innovation in those countries. But, in our country, there is a long procedure for that. On the other hand, our laws do not encourage technology based investors to come and invest here. Therefore, the Ministry plans to introduce a simple but strong legal system that paves the way for a modern technological era,” he said.
He further stressed the need of a research based education system in Sri Lanka in the journey to become a developed nation in 2048, and also said that it is the responsibility of the researchers and the students to do more research related to their respective fields. “Like in other countries, we do not have a research based education system. Even in the Sri Lankan university system, we do not see an enthusiasm in students to conduct research. But, if we go to renowned universities like Harvard and Oxford, 75% of the curriculum is based on research. That is why they are more developed and innovative than us. So, the Ministry hopes to involve itself in this matter too,” he said.
Recently, the State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath told the media that a separate act has not been established for research and development in our country and that as the Ministry, they hope to work towards it in the future.