Due place not given for science, technology, says Minister

The importance of science and technology in the modern world for the development of our society and improving the living conditions has not been properly appreciated in Sri Lanka, Science and Technology Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana said.

Addressing a workshop on Barriers to Young Scientists organised by the National Science and Technology Commission, recently he reminisced that india's first Prime Minister Jawarhalal Nehru, was someone who appreciated the role of science and technology.

He said Tagore who was very progressive and looked to the development along with the rest of the world for India influenced Nehru of which the outcome was that the Prime Minister of India has always been the Minister of Science and Technology.

"We cannot develop our economy without having matching technology inputs which are appropriate to our needs. It is to that extent that we are able to do that and succeed as a nation."

"Like several previous years, this year's allocation for science and technology is only 0.13 per cent of our GDP, one of the lowest in the world. I am sorry to state about the lack of appreciation of the importance of science and technology on the side of those who handle our funds. Unless they change that position, we cannot stop the colossal brain drain which is really wastage of the tremendous resources that are putting to education in our country.

The Minister emphasised the need to successfully carry out a campaign to increase this percentage investment from GDP in science and technology.

"We have to create the type of awareness among the policy makers so that this situation can be avoided.

The funding provided has to be related to economic and social development." Professor Vitarana stated that there is resistance on our scientists and technologists to interact with the scientists and technologists who are frontiers of knowledge abroad.

"We are in a world which is integrated from the point of view of science and technology.

The developed countries have drawn the scientists and technologists from our country also and make use of them as best brains to reach the frontiers of knowledge so that they are able to do better than our country".

The Minister stated that the quickest way for us to catch up is be ready to interact with those scientists aborad and get their inputs.

"Then we may rise up to the international level."

"Nanotechnology is going to revolutionise all other ares of science and technology. Sri Lankan scientists are leaders in nanotechnology.

Professor Ravi Silva who is the head of the Advanced Technology Institute in Surrey, London and a member of a five man team leading the Nanotechnology in Britain, is here to help establish a Nanotechnology centre in Sri Lanka. There is an international advisory panel set up here for that purpose.'

The Minister pointed out that the bureaucratic traditions and attitudes in our country are very deep rooted.

"The auditing system is completely wrong here, with the money that has been given, what is important is what outcome has been achieved. They should either commend or criticise your for lack of output or for achieving it.

However, the practice has been whether you have filled the form properly, whether the money has been drawn according to the procedures.

Whether you have followed the procedures is all that matters for them and that are what they give focus on."