Govt. to set up first science and Nanotech Park in Homagama

Wednesday, 27 June 2012 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

One of the most ambitious development projects in the science and technology field will commence this week when the foundation for the first ever Science Park in Sri Lanka is laid tomorrow.

The Science Park will be established on a 50 acre property at Pitipana, Mahenawatte, Homagama released to the Ministry of Technology and Research for this purpose.

The development of the Park will be pursued in four stages. In Phase one the Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (NCE) will be established.

The NCE will include a Centre for Research and Investment (a state of the art laboratory), cells of incubation, a technology commercialisation centre, library, auditorium and accommodation for visiting scientists. Phases two, three and four will be proceeded with based on the success of the first Phase. Phase two provides facilities for large scale corporate research and business development to be availed of by the public and private sectors in Sri Lanka and overseas. Phase three envisages a focus on expansion of high technology Industries and centralised services and phase four seeks to provide Housing and recreational facilities for research community.

Phase one (a) will commence tomorrow (28) with the laying of the foundation for the centre for research and investment at a cost of Rs. 829 million provided by the Government. The construction of Phase one (a) is expected to be completed by mid 2013.

The establishment of the Science Park is an initiative undertaken by the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) which is a private-public partnership with 77% shares held by Government. The private sector partners in the project are MAS Capital (Pvt) Limited, Brandix Lanka Ltd., Dialog Axiata PLC, Hayleys PLC, and Loadstar (Private) Ltd.

SLINTEC is a private Company that was established in 2008 to pursue Sri Lanka’s National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) that was adopted in 2006. The Chairman of SLINTEC is Deshamanya Mahesh Amalaen. The Board of Management of SLINTEC has equal numbers of Government and private sector nominees.

On the invitation of Minister of Technology and Research Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Economic Affairs Basil Rajapakse will be the Chief Guest and Senior Minister for Scientific Affairs Prof Tissa Vitharana will be the Guest of Honour on this occasion.