Indian and Sri Lankan govt to support 9 scientific projects and 3 workshop proposals

An inter-governmental cooperation in Science & Technology between India and Sri Lanka was concluded in 2008. The S&T cooperation between India and Sri Lanka was initiated and discussed through India Sri Lanka Sub-Commission on Science & Technology under the umbrella of the inter-governmental India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, which in its meeting held at Colombo on November 2010 recommended development of a Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology, identifying mutual areas of interest, including use of space technology for societal services using Indian satellite.

As of now 27 Joint Research Projects in Food Technology, Materials, and Plant based Medicine, Industrial electronics etc. were supported. A number of quality joint research papers/patents have been published by the PIs and fellows also participated in various national/international conferences/symposiums of their relevant fields. 

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research (MSTR), Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka had launched a joint call for proposals in the areas of (i) Food Technology; (ii) Plant base medicines; (iii) Metrology; (iv) Space Research & Applications; (v) Robotics & Automation; (vi) Industrial Electronics; (vii) Renewable Energy; (viii) Waste Management; (ix) Information and Communication Technology; (x) Any other project with national relevance (with Justifications) in August 2019.

In total, 193 common proposals were received against the joint call for which last date (extended) was 28 Feb 2020.

Based on scientific merit, complementarities of the project objectives, scientific strengths of the project coordinators, national priorities and availability of budget, The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research (MSTR), Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka have jointly decided to support 09 projects and 03 workshop proposals.

Project/workshop coordinators are being informed separately to complete administrative formalities for release of grant. The results may be seen at the website of Department of Science and Technology.