First Technology Incubation Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology was Open at the Vavuniya University premises
The opening of the first Technology Incubation Center established under the Programme for the Establishment of Technology Incubation Centers being implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology was held on yesterday (23) at the Vavuniya University Park Road premises under the patronage of the Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Chrishantha Abeysena, and the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti.
This Technology Center aims to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, research and innovation commercialization, and start-up development in the Northern Province. This Centre is jointly established by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Vidatha Program operating under the Ministry’s purview in collaboration with the University of Vavuniya.
The Vidatha program, being a key program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, envisages bringing technology to the villages. It supports the development of rural small and medium-scale enterprises through science, technology and innovative knowledge, thereby transferring appropriate technologies to the grassroots level to promote entrepreneurship throughout Sri Lanka. As a further development of the program, Technology Incubation Centers are being established at state universities with special attention being paid to uplifting entrepreneurs, innovators, and start-ups. 24 Technology Incubator Centers are due to be established in this manner, covering the entire island, both within and outside State Universities.
This will be a milestone initiative in developing and strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises. It also aims to conquer the local and foreign markets by improving the standard and quality of products and services.
Concurrent with the opening of the center, a science, technology and innovation exhibition was held at the same premises, bringing together the country’s leading technology and research institutions, universities and companies.The exhibition was open to the public free of charge.
In addition, 172 Young Inventors Clubs and School Science Societies were established for schools in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar districts at the Vavuniya District Secretariat. The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC), operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology, aiming to strengthen and promote the national innovation ecosystem has already initiated a program to establish Young Inventors Clubs (YIC) in schools with a novel approach under the guidance of the Minister in charge of the subject, Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, with a view to fostering creativity and innovation among school students.The inaugural phase of this program for the year 2026 will unfold on January 23rd at the Vavuniya District Secretariat. Under this initiative, Young Inventors Clubs will be established schools in the Northern Province, covering the Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu districts.
School science clubs are also being established under the guidance of the National Science Foundation functioning under the purview of the Ministry. A number of programs will be implemented through these school science clubs to popularizescience in society and to create enthusiasm in school students about the fields of science and technology, including STEM education.
Members of Parliament for Vavuniya Mylvaganam Jegadeeswaran and Sellathambi Thilakanathan, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Mahesh Gammanpila, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Vavuniya A. Atputharaja, government officials, university students, entrepreneurs and a large number of participants attended the event.
