The National Science Foundation (NSF), Sri Lanka in collaboration with the ‘Vidatha’ Unit of the Ministry of Science & Technology, successfully conducted a capacity building programme aimed at Science and Technology Officers (STOs) of ‘Vidatha’ Centers and Development Officers on submission of proposals for NSF grant schemes namely Support Scheme for Technology Development and Start-up Businesses Based Novel Technologies hence enabling them to provide scientific solutions to the community effectively.
This programme was conducted as the second programme under the theme ‘Providing Scientific Solutions for the Community’. Identifying problems at grassroot level and analysis of same is somewhat challenging and therefore the above capacity building programme will empower STOs in identifying, analysis of problems at grassroot level thereby giving an opportunity to submit applications under the aforementioned grant schemes with appropriate collaborators/partners and subsequently providing scientific solutions to the society effectively. As such, the specific objective of the event was to enhance the capacity of STOs and Development Officers to develop proposals and submit for funding under the said grant schemes with special attention to grassroot innovations and intermediate technology development. The programme was held online in English language on 13th June 2025, which was attended by around 220 participants.
Dr Sepalika Sudasinghe, Director General of the NSF, welcomed the participants and also provided an overview of the programme. A detailed introduction to the programme was presented by Mr. A. Lakkathas, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Science & Technology. The resource person for the session was Eng Mahesh Dissanayake, Head/Technology Development and Innovation Division. He conducted engaging sessions on Support Scheme for Technology Development and Start-up Based Novel Technologies. The participants were also given the opportunity to raise questions and clarifications during the Q & A session hence facilitating an effective knowledge exchange. Concluding remarks of the programme was presented by Mr. Wasantha Anuruddha, Head / Science and Technology Policy Research Division (STPRD) who was also moderated the event.
This event was organized by the Science and Technology Policy Research Division with the Technology Development and Innovation Division of the NSF under the guidance of Dr Sepalika Sudasinghe, Director General of the NSF.