Focus on technology, need of the hour - PM | Daily News

Focus on technology, need of the hour - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Non-Cabinet Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and State Minister J.C. Alawathuwala, at the Shilpa Sena exposition at the BMICH yesterday. Picture by Hirantha  Gunathilaka
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Non-Cabinet Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and State Minister J.C. Alawathuwala, at the Shilpa Sena exposition at the BMICH yesterday. Picture by Hirantha Gunathilaka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said as the world is now driven by technology, it is vital that the younger generation keeps apace with the ever-evolving developments in this sector.

Speaking at the opening of the Shilpa Sena exposition at the BMICH yesterday, the Premier said this science and technology exhibition is timely in paving the way for driving the future generation toward the science and technology sector.

The Shilpa Sena exposition is the brainchild of Science, Technology and Research Non-Cabinet Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, organised by the Ministry to enhance the contribution of the science and technology sector to the economic growth of the country.

The objectives of the Shilpa Sena exposition which will continue until Sunday, July 21, are to promote an awareness of science and technology among the public and to link young innovators with private sector entrepreneurs and investors.

The Prime Minister said ancient Sri Lanka had advanced knowledge of engineering technology as witnessed by our ancient engineering masterpieces such as Yoda Ela, Thuparamaya, Ruwanwelisaya, Sigiriya, Thisawewa, and Parakrama Samudraya.

Our ancestors used advanced technology in many sectors including building construction, shipbuilding, agriculture, irrigation, indigenous medicine, astrology, and the steel industry, he said.

The Prime Minister said that we should focus attention on novel technological fields including artificial intelligence, disruptive technology, and blockchain technology.

Speaking on education sector development moves, the Prime Minister said tabloid computers are being given to Advanced Level students to allow them to obtain the latest technological knowledge. All schools in the 1C category will be converted to 1AB by introducing the Advanced Level science stream.

He added that technical colleges are being modernised to cater to the requirements of present-day society.

While praising the moves of the State Minister to popularise technology, the Prime Minister said he started the Infotel exhibition similar to Shilpa Sena when he was the Science and Technology Minister.

Now the world is on the eve of Industrial Revolution 4, in which science and technology play a pivotal role.

Minister Senasinghe said Shilpa Sena is organised as a countrywide exhibition to make science, technology and research knowledge more accessible to the public.


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