Investing in Nanotechnology in Sri Lanka - Technopolis: Best Practices for Science and Technology Cities - page 337

2 History

In 2006, Sri Lanka embarked on a new journey in science and technology
development when the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was approved by
the Cabinet of Ministers. The Government of Sri Lanka, through the Ministry of
Technology and Research and the National Science Foundation (NSF), joined
hands with the private sector to form a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) to realize
the vision of the NNI. The private sector partners are:

• Brandix—One of the largest apparel manufacturers and exporters in Sri Lanka.
• Dialog Axiata—The largest mobile telecommunications provider in Sri Lanka.
• Hayleys—A

multinational conglomerate with diverse business groups and

ventures.
• Loadstar—A joint venture between Camoplast of Canada and Solideal of
Belgium.
• MAS—One of the largest intimate apparel and sportswear manufacturers for
leading global brands.

To fulfill the objectives of the NNI, two companies were incorporated in 2008,
namely: the SLINTEC and Nanco. They were tasked to conduct research on
Nanotechnology to make products and industries more competitive, add value to
Sri Lanka's mineral resources and develop a Nanotechnology Park.
Research at SLINTEC commenced in August 2009, after the purchase of state-
of-the art equipment for Nanotechnology research and the recruitment of top class
scientists from Sri Lankan universities and institutes. Within 10 months of initi-
ating research, the team successfully filed five international patents at the United
States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This was a great accomplishment
for a small team of dedicated scientists and professors.
Nanco continued to explore the feasibility of establishing and developing a
Nanotechnology Parke in the 50 acre land allocated by the Government in a suburb
of Colombo named Homagama. Feasibility studies were done by a leading con-
sultancy firm at the inception. But the most effective and useful support came from
the UNESCO team that visited Sri Lanka in November 2010. The team comprised
experts from the World Technopolis Association (WTA), University of Surrey,
and UNESCO. They conducted workshops on the development of Science and
Technology Parks and understood our vision and our needs. The UNESCO team
produced a comprehensive report on a Concept Plan for the Development of a
Nanotechnology Park in Sri Lanka, which boosted our confidence and helped us
formulate a sound Strategic Plan.
SLINTEC and Nanco were merged in March 2011 to strengthen efforts in
fulfilling the objectives of the NNI. The amalgamated company SLINTEC con-
tinued its success in research by filing for two more patents in 2011, advancing
many projects from research into development and commencing the design and
planning of the Nanotechnology Park.