Sri Lanka’s presidential hopefuls back science and tech

[COLOMBO] Presidential candidates in Sri Lanka have pledged to prioritise science and technology, promising modernisation and better science education in a country suffering from “brain drain”.

Sri Lanka will hold its presidential election on 21 September, its first since the nation’s devastating economic crisis in 2022.

The vote will feature the country’s longest ballot paper in history, with a record 39 candidates vying for the presidency, all promising to tackle Sri Lanka’s economic and social challenges.

Voters hold high expectations for the upcoming election, particularly in areas such as reducing the cost of living, cutting taxes, fighting corruption and steering the country toward economic recovery.

Major candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, have centred their manifestos around these key issues. But they have also committed to advancements in science, technology and research as vital components for Sri Lanka’s long-term development.

Sri Lanka spends a mere 0.12 per cent of its GDP on research and development (R&D), with the economic crisis further drying up the available funds. The country is also facing a brain drain, with many scientists and professionals leaving due to deteriorating living conditions.

Emeritus professor Ranjith Senaratne, chair of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSF), said the number of researchers in Sri Lanka was extremely low. The county has only 105 R&D personnel per million of the population, according to data from the World Bank.

“There can be no progress without research, so it is vital for the next president to prioritise developments in science and technology to secure Sri Lanka’s future,” Senaratne told SciDev.Net.

In an interview with SciDev.Net, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, one of the four major candidates, emphasised his commitment to introducing new technology, particularly in the agricultural sector where 26 per cent of Sri Lankans are employed.

Dissanayake highlighted that current agricultural practices, such as those in paddy farming, leave both farmers and consumers in a difficult position. He said farmers are barely surviving, unable to earn a sufficient income, while consumers face high prices.

“This system benefits no one,” he stressed, adding: “We must either abandon these outdated methods or innovate through research.”

Instead of merely exporting raw commodities, Sri Lanka should focus on value addition to increase foreign exchange earnings, suggested Dissanayake, acknowledging that this requires innovation.

“There might already be existing research that hasn’t been utilised at the grassroots level, and my priority is to ensure that these innovations are implemented,” he told SciDev.Net.

Science education

Sri Lanka’s opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, meanwhile, promised to establish a dedicated research fund of at least five billion Sri Lankan rupees (US$16.6 million) annually to promote science and technology in the country, viewing it as a long-term investment.

He explained that both state and private universities would be able to apply for funds to support research, development and curriculum enhancement.

Premadasa is also focused on digitisation, aiming to capitalise on fast-growing fields like artificial intelligence (AI) by creating numerous cutting-edge information technology parks. As opposition leader, he secured funding to introduce smart classrooms to hundreds of schools, particularly in remote areas.

Crowds turn out for an election rally ahead of Sri Lanka’s presidential vote on 21 September. Photo courtesy of National People’s Power Media.

“Currently, science and technology education is concentrated in major cities and prestigious schools,” he told SciDev.Net, adding: “It’s essential to extend these opportunities to the younger generation across the country.”

Ruwan Wijewardene, a senior advisor to the incumbent president, says Wickremesinghe plans to establish new technological universities, including a University of Agriculture Technology and an International Climate Change University, a pledge he made last year at the UN Climate Conference COP28.

Wickremesinghe has also pledged to pass a Technology Promotion Act in 2025, establishing a Digital Transformation Agency and a Digital Technology and Innovation Council to spearhead AI and digital advancements.

Namal Rajapaksa, the youngest contender in the race, is the son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and nephew of ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He is focusing his campaign on modernisation and technological progress.

Rajapaksa seeks to build on initiatives introduced during his uncle’s administration. His vision includes streamlining government services by cutting out obsolete procedures and integrating advanced technological solutions. His manifesto also outlines a plan to revamp educational curricula, aligning them with current market demands and societal trends to ensure Sri Lanka stays competitive on the global stage.

However, while the presidential candidates’ proposals to advance science and technology are promising, their implementation may be challenging in the current economic climate.

Rohan Samarajiva, founding chair of LIRNEasia, an ICT policy and regulation think tank, says it is doubtful how realistic these promises are, with the country still rated as being in “selective default”, meaning it has delayed repayment on some of its financial obligations.

Sri Lanka’s brain drain

While some candidates have pledged to establish new universities, maintaining the quality of the existing higher education system is already difficult due to significant brain drain.

The Department of Chemistry, one of the largest departments at the University of Peradeniya, is struggling with a staffing crisis and has had to rely on retired professors, external lecturers and assistant academic staff. Manawadevi Ganehenege, the head of the department, told SciDev.Net she was concerned about the sustainability of education if more staff members left.

According to Sri Lanka’s Government Medical Officers’ Association, more than 1,800 doctors left the country in 2022 and 2023. It says at least 25 per cent of doctors currently working in the government health system have also passed the exams required for employment abroad.

Manuj Weerasinghe, former president of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, pointed out that investments in science and technology are long-term endeavours, typically taking ten to 20 years to yield benefits. Politicians often seek quick results during their time in office, which can clash with the timeframes required for these investments to pay off, he said.

Limited public interest in science may also reduce the pressure on politicians to prioritise such investments.

“I don’t think even one per cent of voters consider science a top priority when they cast their ballots,” Weerasinghe told SciDev.Net. He argued that educating the public about the importance of science for development is essential.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Asia & Pacific desk.