Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe |
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| CEO Dr. Thushara Perera |
The Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) witnessed a remarkable transformation – with four patents having been commercialised, with an additional four innovations in the advanced stage of commercialisation.
Under the leadership of investment banker and PPP specialist Thilan Wijesinghe, who took over as Chairman of SLINTEC in September 2022, and CEO Dr. Thushara Vajera Perera (formerly a Senior Scientist at Pfizer Inc., USA, and Director – Innovation Health Science and Technology at MAS, Sri Lanka), SLINTEC has propelled forward towards global recognition, financial self-sufficiency, and ground-breaking contributions to Sri Lanka’s industrial innovation landscape.
Prior to the leadership transition at SLINTEC in 2023, over its 16-year history since its establishment in 2008, the institution had commercialised only seven patents and innovations, averaging fewer than two commercialisations per year. In addition, up to 2022, SLINTEC had faced significant challenges, including a notable loss of over 80 scientists over four years and financial constraints affecting operational sustainability.
SLINTEC said today its remarkable growth highlights its strengthened ability of a newly energised team of scientists led by Dr. Perera to convert scientific innovations into practical, market-ready solutions.
Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe said: “SLINTEC’s revenue in 2024 reached a record high and is poised to be eclipsed in 2025. At present, SLINTEC is the only research-based institution that does not rely on Government funding for recurring expenses. An institution with 50% shareholding by the National Science Foundation and 50% by private sector companies such as MAS, LOLC, Brandix and Hayleys, SLINTEC now serves as a model for public-private collaboration in advancing scientific innovation in Sri Lanka.”
The organisation’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through R&D focused on natural dyes – a strategy adopted to position SLINTEC as a global leader in this area and to assist growth and innovation in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. In this regard, two patents have already been commercialised including coconut husk and palm oil waste-based natural dyes, as well as a patent based on packaging material made using agricultural waste such as corn husk.
CEO Dr. Thushara Perera said: “It is our vision to make SLINTEC Sri Lanka’s most valuable science-based asset through structured commercialisation of R&D. We hope to drive SLINTEC to become a hub for cutting-edge research and sustainability-driven innovation while forging impactful partnerships with industry, local and international universities and R&D establishments, covering a multitude of sectors such as minerals, agriculture and export manufacturing.”
