Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized the importance of investing in research and development (R&D) as a cornerstone for the government’s development agenda. She made this remark while addressing the Digital Library Conference 2024, organized by the Medical College Science Foundation, in Colombo.
In her address, Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted the need to guide the country’s future based on research, evidence, and data, stressing that this approach has been lacking in Sri Lanka for the past 75 years. She noted that one of the country’s most significant challenges has been the lack of science-backed decision-making at the highest levels of governance.
“One of the biggest challenges we have faced in recent years is that, especially at the highest levels of decision-making, the reasons for decisions are often not informed by science, evidence, or data. This must change. Going forward, it is essential that decision-makers and the research community work more closely together to ensure informed and effective governance,” she stated.
The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect a broader commitment to transforming governance practices to ensure that decisions are based on scientific evidence, fostering a future-oriented approach to national development. She emphasized that the integration of research and data into policy-making will be pivotal in addressing the country’s evolving needs.
The conference also featured key figures in Sri Lanka’s scientific community, including Professor Saman Seneweera, Chairman of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Sepalika Sudasinghe, Director General of the National Science Foundation, and Manjula Karunaratne, Head of the National Science Library Resource Center. The event brought together researchers, scholars, and librarians, all of whom echoed the need for a more research-driven approach to governance in Sri Lanka’s future development.
