Glyricedia could generate over 20% of energy consumption - Prof. Tissa Vitarana

Manjari Peiris

Over 20 per cent of energy consumption in Sri Lanka could be generated from glyricedia, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana said.

"The Government has declared glyricedia cultivation as the fourth cultivation of Sri Lanka. We have to develop systems using science and technology. Innovations in schools and villages are not second to any other in the world", he said.

He was speaking at a ceremony to present awards to schoolchildren who excelled in several competitions held to mark World Science Day.

"Eighty five per cent of electricity consumption in Sri Lanka is borne by diesel and this affects the environment badly. This quantity is adequate only for 40 years. The children gathered here by that time will be giving leadership to this country. This is the reason that we have chosen this year's theme as Facing the Energy Challenge," Professor Sirimalee Fernando, Chairperson of the National Science Foundation said.

Prof. Fernando said we have to earn alternative energy systems based on science and technology to overcome this critical situation. Professor M.T.M. Jiffry, Chairman of Science Promotion Programme among School Science Societies explained that the programme supports School Science Societies registered under this activity

with many important areas such as increasing their knowledge in science and technology, providing equipment, magazines and books to enhance the knowledge of O/L and A/L students, seminars to increase their knowledge in science and technology, etc.

Education Minister Susil Premajayanth as Chief Guest said, there are 625 schools that provide science and technology education.