Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya underscored the need to nurture a new generation of Sri Lankans driven by creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking, stressing that the country’s future depends on individuals who can question existing knowledge, think differently, and use innovation to solve global challenges.
She made these remarks at the launch of the national programme to introduce 100 new Young Inventor Clubs into schools. The event, organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, was held on Monday (8th) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, under the patronage of Prime Minister Amarasuriya and Science and Technology Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena.
At the ceremony, the Prime Minister symbolically presented Innovation Tokens to nine schools representing all provinces to mark the official commencement of establishing Young Inventor Clubs across the country, her office said.
Key issues highlighted included the role of school-based innovation in strengthening the national economy, the importance of teachers in nurturing inventors, the value of patents, educational reforms, and the contribution of innovation and entrepreneurship in building a creative workforce.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amarasuriya stressed the importance of fostering a new education system that goes beyond the traditional framework. She noted that the true worth of an innovator lies not in academic degrees or patents, but in the positive contributions they make toward society.
“What we need is not merely a generation that knows about data,” she said. “We need a generation with the intelligence to question its accuracy, see things differently, and use knowledge to change the world. We need curious minds that think outside the box and pursue knowledge with purpose.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized the government’s duty to create an enabling environment that promotes socially responsible, compassionate innovators with empathy and accountability.
Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, meanwhile, pointed out that innovation should be advanced as a national priority, with joint responsibility resting on the Ministries of Science and Technology and Education. He stressed that the country’s greatest resource is its youth, whose creativity and innovation will shape Sri Lanka’s future, assuring the government’s support for young inventors.
The event was attended by University Grants Commission Chairman Senior Prof. Kapila Seneviratne, Ministry Secretaries Nalaka Kaluwewa and Y. L. Mohamed Nawawi, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Commissioner Prof. Veranja Karunaratne, principals, teachers, and groups of school children engaged in innovation.
