NSF committed to promoting rural industries and science literacy

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In keeping with the national policy, the NSF has accorded high priority to strengthen local industries in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman, Dr. Dilrukshi Ranatunga, Head, Division of Science Communication and Outreach and Eng. Mahesh Dissanayake, Head, Division of Research of the NSF visited the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Pottery, Furniture and Rural Industrial Promotion on 03rd March 2022 and held discussions with its Secretary,   Mr. Vijith Bandaranayake and other senior officials  with a view to identifying high-priority interventions that could potentially promote exports  in the short and medium term time horizons.

Further it was decided to collaborate with the Ministry in order to make effective use of over 275 Vidatha Centres across the country to enhance rural industries and science literacy among the rural folk. 

In order to embark upon a joint pragmatic programme with potential short-term impact, the Ministry will formulate a report initially focusing on the ceramic and rattan and reed ware industries identifying high-priority interventions needed to give them a boost.  The report will also indicate the type of assistance that can be provided by the Ministry by way of human, physical/logistics and financial resources, facilitation, coordination etc. It was decided to meet again in early April to prepare an action plan with KPIs and timelines based on the report submitted.

Chairman, NSF underlined the need to engage appropriate young officers from the Ministry in order to make this initiative a success and added that support of Mr. Ajith Perera, “Master Potter” would be valuable. Several senior officials from the Ministry took part in the discussion, including Ms J. Krishnamoorthy, Additional Secretary (Admin and Vidatha),  Mr. A.M. Arif, Director in Charge of Vidatha Centres, Mr. Buddhika Priyadarshane, Director in charge of Development Division and Ms Jayasamara Gunarathna, Assistant Director of Vidatha, and Ms Maduka Senarathne, Senior Scientific Officer and Ms, Abhimani Ranatunge, Scientific Officer represented from the NSF.