News
G-77 summit: President RW calls for earmarking 1% of GDP for R&D over a decade
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his speech at the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the G77 and China in Havana, Cuba, on Friday, emphasised the crucial role science, technology and innovation play in overcoming the current development challenges faced by developing nations worldwide.
President Wickremesinghe began his speech by commending Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez for convening the Summit and acknowledging Cuba’s historic role as a champion of the aspirations of developing nations at various multilateral forums.
Wickremesinghe noted the unprecedented challenges confronting the global South, including the pandemic, climate change, food, fertiliser and energy crises, which threaten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and exacerbate the global debt crisis.
President Wickremesinghe delved into the historical perspective of technological development, highlighting how Europe’s advancements in the 15th century, such as gunpowder, cannon and ocean-going ships had enabled it to conquer other parts of the world, resulting in the technological divide seen today. He underscored that a new technological divide is
emerging in the 21st century, necessitating the adoption of digitalisation and new technologies such as Big Data, IoT, AI, Blockchain, Biotechnology and genome sequencing to bridge the gap.The President emphasised the importance of an educated labour force well equipped with knowledge and technological know-how essential for the smooth flow of the much-needed transformation of the developing nations.
The President outlined his government’s initiatives including the evaluation of underperforming Science and Technology Research Institutes and the establishment of a Technology and Innovation Council and a Digital Transformation Agency. Additionally, Sri Lanka plans to create four new universities specializing in new technologies, with one being the result of technological cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. The International Climate University will be the 05th.
Addressing the digital divide, President Wickremesinghe cited challenges such as limited access to costly technology, insufficient digital skills and infrastructure, cultural and institutional barriers and financing constraints. He called for effective cooperation mechanisms within the G77 and China, including the revitalization of the Consortium of Science & Technology & Innovation for the South (COSTIS) and the commitment of member countries to earmark 1% of their GDP for R&D over a decade.
President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of collaboration between governments and the private sector and proposed creating technological platforms in fields like digitalization, health, medication, AI and renewable energy including green hydrogen, inspired by the European Union’s Technology & Innovation Platforms.
The brain drain from the South to the North and the resulting loss of educated manpower is another threat to the development of Science Technology and Innovation of the South, President Wickremesinghe said, adding that China, India, Japan and South Korea have developed Science Technology and Innovation by nurturing their manpower. “Therefore, we must ask for compensation from the North for the loss of our manpower,” he added.
He also urged increased South-South cooperation and proposed a scheme akin to the Colombo Plan to enhance collaboration, exchange best practices and develop policies that harness the transformational potential of science, technology and innovation.
In conclusion, President Wickremesinghe reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to supporting the new Havana Declaration and called for the collective voice of G77 and China to be heard in international fora.The President’s address underscored the significance of science, technology and innovation in shaping the future of developing nations, making it a pivotal moment at the G77 and China Summit.
The 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Colombo Plan was held on Friday 03 July at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Delivering the keynote address, the Prime Minister stated that the Colombo Plan was established 75 years ago at a time when many Asian nations were embarking on the path to independence while confronting challenges of post-war reconstruction and economic development.
She noted that it is a matter of great pride for Sri Lanka that the organization bears the name “Colombo” and that the country continues to serve as its host.
The Prime Minister further noted that, as Sri Lanka pursues digital transformation, sustainable transport systems, and resilient supply chains, the Colombo Plan’s early investments in the country’s energy, agriculture, irrigation, and transport sectors continue to form an important part of the nation’s development foundation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the significant contribution of the Colombo Plan’s Drug Advisory Programme in addressing the global drug menace, which has a profound impact on youth, public health, and social stability. The Prime Minister emphasized that, under the leadership of the President, the Government of Sri Lanka has accorded high priority to combating the drug menace and expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by the Colombo Plan towards these efforts.
The Prime Minister further stated that today’s world is far more complex than it was in 1951, with rapid technological transformation, climate challenges, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. In this context, the Prime Minister stressed that regional organizations such as the Colombo Plan must continue to evolve, becoming more adaptive and responsive to contemporary challenges. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in education and human capital development, while fostering greater awareness among younger generations of the value of international cooperation.
During the ceremony, a special tribute was paid to Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes in recognition of his distinguished service as Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan over the past four years. The newly appointed Secretary-General, Chulamee Chartsuwan, was also welcomed.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary, a special commemorative postage stamp and the publication titled “Colombo Plan 75 Years – 75 Stories” were officially launched.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and Chairperson of the Colombo Plan Council Trinh Thi Tam, along with many distinguished guests.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
Dengue hyper-epidemic not yet under control, PHI Union warns
The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union of Sri Lanka on Friday said the country’s dengue hyper-epidemic situation has still not been brought under control, warning of a fresh rise in cases amid changing weather conditions.
Acting President of the PHI Union Upul Rohana said that although the situation has shown some improvement in areas where outbreaks were first reported, new clusters of infection are now emerging in other parts of the country.
He urged the public to maintain, and not reduce, current dengue prevention activities under any circumstances.
Rohana noted that light showers had begun in several areas under prevailing weather conditions, increasing the risk of mosquito breeding as vector density is already high.
He also identified unoccupied properties as a major challenge in dengue control, pointing out that houses belonging to persons working abroad, as well as newly purchased but uninhabited properties in urban areas, were contributing significantly to mosquito breeding sites.
Meanwhile, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said on Friday that dengue cases reported so far this year have exceeded 57,000, with 57,668 infections and 35 deaths recorded countrywide.
The NDCU said 1,253 new cases were reported within the past 24 hours alone.District-wise, Colombo has recorded 11,811 cases so far this year, while Gampaha has reported 11,443 cases, making them the two most affected districts.
The Court of Appeal on Friday dismissed a revision application filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa in connection with the money laundering case popularly known as the “Menik Malla” case.
The application challenged a ruling of the Colombo High Court, which had earlier rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defence during trial proceedings.
The judgment was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Amal Ranaraja and Sumudu Premachandra.
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