Research and Development (R&D) is set to play a key role in shaping Sri Lanka’s shift to a production-led, innovation-driven economy. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer, Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya outlined the Government’s plans to revitalise the R&D sector. He also highlighted efforts to address challenges such as fragmented research, weak commercialisation, and brain drain through a new National R&D Policy focused on national priorities, transparent investment, intellectual property (IP) protection, and attracting global talent. The interview also explored plans for independent governance, regional inclusion, and harnessing Sri Lanka’s natural resources for value-added products.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: You were a key contributor to the “Quantum Leap” framework. What prompted the creation of this document and what were the most challenging aspects of developing it with both local and diaspora scientists?
A: The creation of the “Quantum Leap” framework was prompted by a long-standing interest in enhancing Sri Lanka’s R&D culture, particularly with the aim of transitioning to a production economy requiring value-added products and services. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, even before his Presidency, demonstrated a keen interest in developing the R&D culture. This interest solidified following his tour to the US in 2023 where he visited the Texas Medical Centre, world’s largest medical centre that I work, which led to the initial discussion about developing this policy for Sri Lanka. Subsequently, a committee comprising local and international experts was formed to begin this process. The country’s need for such a framework was a key driver. Then, after forming the Government, I worked with the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) chaired by Prof. Rohan Fernando to finalise this policy.
Developing the framework with both local and diaspora scientists presented no significant challenges as there was a shared desire among a large number of scientists and experts across various fields to contribute to Sri Lanka. The diversity of subject types, which can typically be a challenge, was considered beneficial for R&D.
Q: You’ve said that Sri Lanka has plenty of ‘R’ but little ‘D’ in its R&D. What key structural or cultural barriers have hindered development and commercialisation, and what urgent steps can be taken to reverse this trend?
A: Sri Lanka’s R&D ecosystem suffers from several structural and cultural barriers that hinder development and commercialisation. Research remains fragmented, lacking alignment with national priorities, while existing institutions are not adequately empowered to advance outcomes towards commercial use or human development. Weak collaboration between the Government, private sector and international stakeholders further limits investor engagement.
There is insufficient support to de-risk research, making it less attractive for investment. To address these gaps, the Government has introduced a new policy framework and launched the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialisation (NIRDC) as an interim measure. The NIRDC focuses on gap-filling funding for near-completed research (with Rs. 1 billion allocated and Rs. 2.2 billion in applications received), investor matching (with over Rs. 5 billion in projects under way), and resolving legal or operational barriers for investors. An ad hoc expert committee has also been established to prioritise research in line with national goals, while a cabinet-approved reviewer panel ensures a transparent and unbiased funding process.
Q: You’ve described research in Sri Lanka as “scattered” and lacking national prioritisation. How does the new R&D policy intend to align research efforts with urgent national priorities such as climate resilience, food security, and digital transformation?
A: The new R&D policy introduces a structured approach to align research with urgent national goals by prioritising projects based on their commercial potential and impact on human development, environmental sustainability, and social progress. While the current research remains scattered, the policy establishes an annual expert-led mechanism to identify specific national needs.
Research has been broadly categorised into eight thematic areas: food and agriculture, fisheries, technology (including IT and AI), education, health, environment and natural resources, national security and policy-making, human development and culture, and an open category for emerging topics. Future expert committees will further refine priorities within these areas to ensure alignment with national development objectives.
Q: Sri Lanka’s R&D spending is far below global standards. How will the new policy increase investment and more importantly, ensure transparency and impact from that investment?
A: The new R&D policy aims to boost investment while ensuring transparency and impact through four key mechanisms. First, the national R&D budget is set to increase, with the President already allocating Rs. 1 billion to kickstart this effort. Second, funding will be prioritised for research aligned with Sri Lanka’s national needs, addressing past issues of misaligned or scattered funding. Third, strong regulations and accountability measures will be introduced, with funds released in stages based on progress, replacing the previous system of minimal reporting. Finally, a transparent and unbiased review process—already piloted by NIRDC, will be adopted, involving independent reviewers, written justifications, consensus discussions, and an administrative-level evaluation of national relevance, commercial potential, and societal value. Together, these steps aim to ensure responsible and effective use of government R&D funds.
Q: You highlighted poor IP protection and lack of commercialisation pathways. What concrete mechanisms will the policy introduce to bridge the gap between research labs and the market?
A: The new policy introduces targeted measures to bridge the gap between research and the market, with a strong focus on intellectual property (IP) protection and fostering an investor-friendly environment. A national IP policy is being developed to address existing gaps, enhance legal support for patenting, and prevent idea theft—encouraging more inventors to participate.
To make research market-ready, the policy supports de-risking by establishing incubator and high-tech facilities that help move basic research closer to commercial application.
Investor confidence is also a priority, with commitments to eliminate commissions, red tape, and corruption, while offering greater concessions. The policy further aims to connect investors with research at universities and schools, and through the NIRDC, it is building targeted support for startups, with additional backing from partners like ADB and JICA.
Q: Sri Lanka is losing significant research talent. What is your plan not only to retain but also to attract top researchers, including from the diaspora, to stay engaged in the country’s innovation journey?
A: The plan to retain and attract top researchers, including those from the diaspora, is built on two key strategies. First, to retain scientists, the policy aims to improve Sri Lanka’s R&D culture by enhancing institutional support and addressing salary gaps—particularly in research institutes—while also strengthening IP protection and ensuring inventors receive a fair share of commercial returns. Second, to tap into the expertise of Sri Lankans abroad, a three-tier approach is proposed: remote contributions via platforms like Zoom for teaching and advisory roles; short-term knowledge transfer through workshops during personal visits; and long-term reverse brain drain programs that offer competitive facilities and packages—mirroring successful models from China and India—to encourage skilled professionals to return and contribute to national development.
Q: The new R&D policy emphasises independent governance and eliminating political interference. How will you ensure this independence and accountability in practice, especially under future Governments?
A: The new R&D policy seeks to ensure independent and accountable governance while eliminating political interference through a centralised administrative system. A central institute will oversee the entire R&D landscape, supported by a high-powered committee of experts, legal professionals, private sector leaders, and academics to make collective, depoliticised decisions. The administration will include six structured divisions covering policy, prioritisation, funding, facilitation, commercialisation, and knowledge dissemination.
Q: How do you envision the alignment between Sri Lanka’s National Digital Economy Strategy-2030 and the goals of the National R&D Policy?
A: The alignment between Sri Lanka’s National Digital Economy Strategy-2030 and the National R&D Policy is envisioned to be perfect and essential. Collaboration is already happening with the President’s Senior Advisor for the Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. Digitalisation involves two components: basic developments like ID cards and the research side that supports developing software or new technological solutions for country-specific problems. These two areas are not separate but interconnected and the aim is to bring them together for national development, moving away from isolated efforts.
Q: It has been almost six months since you launched NIRDC. What is its progress, as well as insights into the specific challenges NIRDC has faced during this period?
A: Launched on January 8, 2025, the National Innovation and Research Development Council (NIRDC) has made notable strides in just six months. Under its gap-filling funding initiative, Rs. 1 billion was secured to support near-completed research, with applications invited publicly in all three languages. The response was overwhelming, with proposals worth Rs. 2.2 billion submitted in the first quarter alone. Efforts are under way to improve knowledge dissemination as well. However, the Council has faced specific challenges, particularly around recruitment and staffing, due to lengthy Government procedures—though support from the Presidential Secretariat has helped overcome some bureaucratic obstacles. Promoting a cultural shift within Government offices towards a more collaborative and less stressful work environment has been a key focus, and has been well received by staff.
