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Nanotechnology is the only technology Sri Lanka has funded

Veranja Karunaratne FRSC

Science Team Leader, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt.) Ltd.

I would like address some recent concerns raised by the scientific community about the need and the justification for funding nanotechnology research in Sri Lanka. Some comments have been less than charitable falling into the category of unconstructive engagement. On the other hand, others had shown genuine interest in seeking clarifications and detailed explanations. One such answer-seeking letters written by Dr. U. Petyhiyagoda (See Letters on this page - Ed) appeared in the latest NASSL newsletter. In this backdrop, it is pertinent to discuss context under which nanotechnology research was brought into focus in Sri Lanka which no doubt defines its content. 

The Government of Sri Lanka together with the Ministry of Science and Technology launched the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2007 with the setting up of a Nanotechnology Company (NANCO) with BOI status. The principal motive behind this move was to provide nanotechnology based research solutions to the export products of the Sri Lankan industry. A sixty acre property in Homogama has already been ear marked for this project with the Government pledging to find over Rs. 5.6 billion over the next five years. NANCO will become a holding company in the “science park” to be created in Homagama where new nanotechnology inventions will be commercialized by interested private companies.

In order to fast-tract the whole NNI the government proposed the setting up of the first ever Government funded start-up research company, namely Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC). SLINTEC is a Rs. 420 million venture with the Government investing 50% and five joint venture partners, namely Hayleys, MAS Holdings, Brandix, Loadstar and Dialog equally investing the rest. The Ministry of Science and Technology is the focal point of the Government’s investment which will oversee its responsibilities through the National Science Foundation. Under its mandate, SLINTEC will provide an industrial platform, based on nanotechnology research solutions, to the product line up of these companies thus enhancing their global competiveness. Therefore, it is clear from the SLINTEC’s mandate that its focus is not to do cutting edge research in competition with Western Nations. In this simple yet profoundly logical model, SLINTEC will strengthen and support Sri Lankan companies to enhance their export earnings thus contributing to the national economy. In other words, this is the first time that scientists have been embedded as close as possible to the industry to carry out research relevant to them. The public-private partnership in R&D at SLINTEC is unique among nations. The World Bank in its 2009 review of the NNI in Sri Lanka hails the SLINTEC model as a practical way to carry out scientific research in nanotechnology relevant to a country such as Sri Lanka. Importantly, investment into nanotechnology “technopreneurship”, the Government has recognized that scientists can make a big difference in national development by helping to exploit good technologies.

Another concern, in these inquiring articles appearing in the local press, is about the safety issues of nanotechnology. No doubt nanotechnology should be implemented with care and synergy with the environment and a careful life cycle analysis of products. For example, several reports allude to the toxic effects caused by the release of nano particles to the environment. Since it is reasonable to assume that benefits of this new technology, which is expected to gross $ 4 Trillion in the next ten years, would out weigh pit falls, it is essential that the scientific community in Sri Lanka begin an “upstream” dialogue with the public and solve the problems that nanotechnology may lead to, while carrying out research. In this regard, it is important to note that SLINTEC is committed to sustainable nanotechnology where a sustainability screen would be applied to all the research they undertake.

Why scientific research has not contributed to national development has been a hotly contested debate which is as old as post-independent Sri Lanka. While there may be many reasons for this disconnect between the industry and the scientific community, not the least of which is the reluctance of the Sri Lankan private sector to venture into new arenas. The “commodity mindset” of our private sector has kept them content in exporting raw material and products with hardly any value addition. I trust we all agree that we must move to the next stage. Sri Lanka has witnessed waves of technologies come to pass with no state funding to harness their potential. Nanotechnology, which is considered as the 5^th industrial revolution, is the only technology wave the Government has funded. Therefore, the need of the hour is to nurture and support this new market driven innovation model which has a good potential to win for Sri Lanka. After all, finally, the scientists can show the country that investment into nanotechnology was sound and wise by elevating ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ to a quality label in nanotechnology products.

 Disinterest, disenchantment or deafness?

by Dr U.Pethiyagoda

We scientists never tire of pointing out that development and progress are dependent on a commitment to Science and Technology. Politicians are never short of proclaiming the State’s deep appreciation of this truth and their intense support. Experience suggests the lack of sincerity in both.

There have recently been at least four developments with a massive scientific content and implications. The Science community has been surprisingly unconcerned and silent. Is it that we do not care, or are frustrated in the belief that no notice will be taken anyway, or are we so obsessed with our narrow personal interests that we have not even noticed?

I refer to the following, although there are undoubtedly others.

A recent official pronouncement suggests that Sri Lanka is seriously considering moving into nuclear power generation . Will not even the smallest power reactor produce electricity far in excess of our projected needs? We, not so long ago were unable to effectively deal with a fire at a Milk Factory, allowing it to burn and smoulder to ashes, in total impotence to handle this relatively small disaster. Are we morally or practically justified in even contemplating a nuclear plant? Our capital city is unable to handle its domestic garbage.  Could we be entrusted with the safe disposal of reactor waste?

A claim has been made by an individual of a process capable of converting waste polythene to diesel. Would our chemists stand by the commercial (or even scientific) possibility of such an achievement? It is rumoured that official and financial support has already been committed.

A University body claims a process for conversion of straw to automobile fuel. Projected yields defy microbiological and physico-chemical possibilities.

A huge investment is projected for the field of nanotechnology by our impoverished country, unable to meet the more mundane needs of its established institutions. Are we presuming to compete with more advanced and wealthy countries in pioneering novel products and processes, or have we an action plan for valid research priorities in accord with our resources and needs? Taking the scientific community into confidence for clarifying these and related matters is imperative. Sheltering behind a purported need for confidentiality is dangerous. We cannot and must not repeat the mishaps that attended earlier misconceived efforts.

If we as scientists continue in undisturbed slumber while relevant matters of great import are decided and embarked upon, we will have a serious case to answer to our collective consciences and to our nation.