President calls for using science and technology to eliminate poverty

President Maithripala Sirisena has pointed out that the knowledge gained from the scientific research and advances in technology should be used to create a better society for the people by eliminating poverty and said scientists around the world should be committed to the task.

The President made these remarks at the inauguration of the Science and Technology for Society Forum Sri Lanka 2016 on Wednesday night at the Nelum Pokuna Theater in Colombo.

Speaking further President Maithripala Sirisena said the mankind should use their knowledge and experience to protect animals and natural resources to safeguard and improve the environment. The President also commended the organisers for holding such an international forum in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka STS Forum, organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, is on from 7-10 September under the theme “Harnessing Science Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development”. The plenary sessions began yesterday at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla.

The Sri Lanka STS Forum is inspired by the annual Japanese STF Forum, the most recent of which the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attended as a keynote speaker at the inauguration in Kyoto. It seeks to introduce advances in biotech, nanotech, ICT, atomic energy and other areas to Sri Lankan industries and infrastructure development programs.

The main objectives of the Forum are to: foster excellence in Science and Technology, enable equitable and inclusive development through STI, promote high-tech industries in Sri Lanka and integrate Sri Lankan industries into the global value chain.

In order to achieve those objectives the three-day Forum will discuss the role of Science and Technology (S&T) in society especially in relation to Sustainable Development Goals, explore opportunities arising from S&T and address barriers to using S&T in solving problems of the Sri Lankan society.

The Forum will also provide a mechanism for high-level open discussion amongst Sri Lankan Expatriate scientists, foreign scientists and those living in Sri Lanka, to build consensus and networks to resolve issues in the use and application of science and technology in the country.

The Forum is expected to address themes such as the role of Science and Technology in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Citizen Science, Advance Technology based solutions, Capacity building in Science, Technology and Innovation, Science and Technology funding and the Establishment of a Sri Lankan Innovation Platform.

The opening ceremony on Wednesday was attended by the President and the Prime Minister. Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha delivered the opening remarks and University of Cambridge, UK Prince Philip Professor of Technology Prof. Michael J Kelly, delivered the Keynote address.

The three-day international conference brings together over 600 Sri Lankan scientists and over 100 scientists from 23 countries.