The President expressed these observations at the presentation of President’s Awards for scientific publications at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla yesterday (18).

“The developed countries in the world spend a considerable amount of their annual income on scientific researches each year”, the President said.

President Sirisena emphasized the need of giving priority to scientific research when we are moving to the new world and said that the new government broader the portfolio of the Ministry of Science and Technology under previous governments as the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research because they identified the timely need of this area.

The assistance of scholars intellectuals as well as scientists needed in the new transformation process done by the government within the country, he added. The President further said that he believes they will fulfill their duties and responsibilities towards the country without any hesitation.

Awards were presented to more than 200 scientists who did high standards of scientific research representing medical, agricultural and engineering fields for the year 2013.

The presentation of such awards was launched in the year 2001 and this is the 8th time. The awards ceremony organized by the National Research Council of Sri Lanka.

Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, the secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Chairman of the National Research Council of Sri Lanka- Janaka de Silva and others participated in this event.