Latest News
Awareness initiative to engage all stakeholders in strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in the Global Innovation Index
Under the guidance of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), which functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology, an advisory meeting on data requirements for the Global Innovation Index (GII) was held on Thursday (14) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo. The meeting brought together senior officials from both the public and private sectors, representing fields such as science, technology, education and industry.
The purpose of the meeting was to engage all stakeholders in elevating Sri Lanka’s position in the internationally recognised Global Innovation Index, which measures countries’ innovation performance using 80 indicators under seven key pillars. Focus areas included enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness, attracting investment and positioning Sri Lanka as a hub for knowledge, technology and entrepreneurship.
The discussions reflected the Government’s commitment to fostering a culture of research and development, strengthening public–private partnerships and building a robust innovation ecosystem aligned with national priorities, all with the aim of steering the country towards a research, technology, creativity and innovation-driven economy.
The meeting was attended by a large number of key representatives from major ministries, national institutions, universities and leading private sector entities, who serve as primary custodians of the required data. The programme emphasised the importance of closing data gaps, improving coordination and defining clear roles for all stakeholders to support the country’s innovation performance.
Following the inaugural session, an interactive session was conducted to develop a sustainable national mechanism for data collection and reporting, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s innovation potential is accurately represented on the global stage. This initiative reflects the Government’s determination to make innovation not only a policy priority but also a practical driver of national progress.
Among those present were Minister of Science and Technology (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena, Chairman of the NIA Governing Board and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Y.L. Mohamed Navavi and a number of distinguished invitees representing key national institutions.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister to recruit 2,284 to the government service as per the recommendations of the ‘Committee appointed to review the recruitment process of the Government Service at its meeting held on 14.11.2025.
1. Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education 196
2. Ministry of Health and Mass Media 480
3. Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and
Local Governments 04
4. Ministry of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic
Development 19
5. Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development 778
6. Ministry of Justice and National Integration 222
7. Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development 107
8. Ministry of Defense 73
9. Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources 20
10. Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs 21
11. Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development 36
12. Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
04
13. Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
Facilities 02
14. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation 74
15. Western Provincial Council 230
16. Uva Provincial Council 08
17. North Western Provincial Council 08
18. Finance Commission 02
Latest News
Cabinet green light to obtain a grant from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund for post – disaster relief and rehabilitation activities
On a request made by the government of Sri Lanka, the Asian Development Bank has given its concurrence to provide a grant of United States dollars 3 million under Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
It is expected to supply materials required for providing essential life security services for the communities affected, from the said grant.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the President as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to enter into the relevant agreements with the Asian Development Bank to obtain the said grant.
Business
Cabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
Adhering to the broad plan of the Government to reach the objective of accomplishing 70% of the country’s electricity supply from renewable energy sources by the year 2030, the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted on 10.02.2025 to invite requests for resolutions from interested developers of the private sector in order to implement the Mullikulum Wind Power – 100 Mega Watts (two (02) wind power stations of
50 Mega Watts each) on the basis of construction, ownership and execution with a monitoring period of 20 years.
Accordingly, requests for proposals have been called to implement the relevant project by adhering to the international competitive bidding methodology, and seven (7) prospective project proposals were submitted.
Evaluating the said proposals, based on the recommendations submitted by the negotiation committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Power to award the contracts of establishing the two (02) 50 Mega Watts Wind
Power Stations to Consortium of Vidullanka PLC & David Pieris Motor Company (Lanka) Limited and WindForce PLC.
Cabinet approves recruitment of 2,284 to government service
Cabinet green light to obtain a grant from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund for post – disaster relief and rehabilitation activities
Cabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
Cabinet approves the purchase of vehicles to improve the primary health care system across the island
Cabinet approves the transfer of the constructions and land reserved for the Kiinniya University to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism
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