News
In response to high-level calls from government to harness science and technology for national development, Sri Lanka’s National Academy of Sciences (NASSL) will launch a major three-year initiative in July 2025 aimed at rebuilding public trust in science.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), follows a statement made by the President of Sri Lanka during the opening of Parliament in November 2024, identifying science and technology as critical to reviving the economy and improving citizens’ well-being.
Recognising that trust in science must be re-established among policymakers, decision-makers and the wider public, NASSL and SLAAS have designed a campaign under the theme:
'How Science & Technology / Scientists Can Generate Wealth for the Nation.'
The campaign is being supported by four leading private sector partners, each aligned with a specific thematic area:
- Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC: Entrepreneurial science
- Access Engineering PLC: Research and development
- Brandix Lanka Ltd.: Sustainability and consultancy
- Dialog Axiata PLC: Digital science and innovation
The programme will run from April 2025 to March 2028 and will include a multi-platform awareness campaign to communicate science clearly and accessibly to all stakeholders, including schoolchildren, parents, undergraduates, politicians and the general public.
Each year of the initiative will focus on different activities:
Year 1 will see the launch of a national advertising and promotional campaign, alongside student-led projects on science and national development.
Year 2 will feature 40 televised and online episodes exploring the four science themes, with participation from scientists and industry experts.
Year 3 will culminate in regional conferences, where students will present the results of their studies on how science and technology can contribute to national wealth.
This collaborative effort has been strongly endorsed by the Senior Advisor on Science and Technology to the President, who views it as a cornerstone of the government’s wider strategy to revitalise the country through science and innovation.
More details about the programme and its launch will be shared on the IAP website as they become available.
Announcing Institution
