Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the establishment of a single apex body for science, technology, and innovation in Sri Lanka, following discussions and first-hand exposure to Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
During his visit, Premadasa met with ASTAR Chief International Partnerships Officer Chris Leck and Senior Assistant Director Elvin Chia. He said his observations and interactions at ASTAR underscored the need for an integrated, mission-driven institution in Sri Lanka, proposing the creation of a Sri Lanka Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation.
He noted that Sri Lanka currently has multiple research institutions that are dispersed, underfunded, and lack a coordinated national strategy.
Premadasa outlined several priority areas for the proposed agency, including agri-biotechnology and food security, climate resilience, research on rice, tea, and coconut, post-harvest and cold-chain technology, tropical health and biomedicine, advanced manufacturing for SMEs, electronics and precision tools, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, GovTech, smart logistics, and disaster prediction.
He highlighted A*STAR’s globally recognised model, strong state support, industry-focused approach, and emphasis on international collaboration, while also referring to similar institutions such as India’s CSIR and South Korea’s KIST as examples Sri Lanka could learn from.
Premadasa concluded that Singapore’s sustained investment in research and innovation—amounting to 1 per cent of GDP from the government and a further 1 per cent from the private sector—demonstrates how a clear national vision and strong institutions can drive high-value economic growth, a path he said Sri Lanka must urgently pursue.
