Sri Lanka as a leading nanotechnology destination:

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka had been talking of introducing nanotechnology for almost 15 years; ministers had promised to build nano parks and provide other benefits to get such projects off the ground. However, very little attention had been paid to the matter.

A model of the Nanotechnology Centre in Homagama

Last Thursday, the much talked about and long overdue foundation stone for the 54-acre nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (NCE) was finally laid on Government land at Homagama.

Chairman Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), Mahesh Amalean said the investment for the initial stage of the project is Rs 830 million. The nanotechnology park, funded by the Government and a few private sector entities, would enable companies to invest and develop their research centres incubation facilities and pilot plants in the environment of an advanced technology park.

This would help Sri Lanka to be positioned as a leading destination for nanotechnology, taking the country closer towards becoming the Wonder of Asia.

The second phase of the park will focus on the expansion of research and business development for the public and private sector in Sri Lanka and potential foreign direct investment from multinational corporations as well as SMEs through attractive incentives, terms and conditions.

One of Asias leading nano-scientists Dr Lalin Samaranayake told the Sunday Observer that Sri Lanka is sitting on a nanotechnology goldmine. It has not used its potential in the world market, he said

He said while Sri Lanka has the technology to reap economic benefits from nanotechnology in the island itself, the country only exports raw materials, giving all the benefits to the world. Sri Lanka sells nano raw materials such as graphite, silica, titanium dioxide and clay for various industries in the world and imports the finished products spending a lot of foreign currency.

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A step towards the future