Science And Technology Development

(a) to promote the use of science and technology as an integral part of the effort to achieve rapid economic development, and improved quality of life and to alleviate poverty, and to involve scientists and technologists in the formulation of policy and in decision making ;

(b) to foster scientific and technological activity in all its aspects with a view to developing self reliance in scientific and technological capability and to ensure the allocation of a reasonable proportion of the gross national product for science and technology activities;

(c) to support the development of indigenous technology wherever feasible whilst promoting the import, adaptation and assimilation of technology for rapid growth in industry agriculture and services;

(d) to ensure that institutions of higher education and technical education and research institutions produce scientists,technologists and technicians of high calibre and competence and to secure the provision of incentives to them with a view to ensuring their retention in Sri lanka;

(e) to provide adequate opportunities for all persons to acquire a basic education in science and its practical applications;

(f) to cultivate among the people, an appreciation of the value of science, scientific method and technology and of the integral role that science plays in modern society;

(g) to disseminate the benefits of science and technology activity to all sectors of the people;

(h) to encourage and strengthen cooperation in science and technology between scientists in Sri Lanka, and between scientists in Sri Lanka and scientists outside Sri Lanka, and to provide access to global scientific and technological .knowledge and activity ;

(i) to develop the capability to continuously plan, evaluate and review strategies, legislation: and the institutional framework for science and technology in Sri Lanka ;

(j) to identify priority areas of science and technology likely to be of benefit to Sri Lanka and to promote research and development in such areas,

(a) to advise the Government on policies and plans for the development of science and technology including policies and plans relating to”

(b) to submit a report annually, to the Government, reviewing the science and technology activities, in Sri Lanka in the preceding year, in relation to the objects set out in section 2 and on. the effectiveness of measures for the development of human resources, the performance of science and technology institutions, the effectiveness of public spending on science and technology and the use of science and technology by public sector and private sector undertakings ;

(c) to review the progress of science and technology institutions in relation to the objects set out in section 2 ;

(d) to consult relevant science and technology institutions before advising the Government on policies and plans relevant to those institutions ;

(e) to convene the Sri Lanka Conference on Science and Technology biennially, with the prior approval of the Minister, and to provide a forum for the discussion of science and technology in Sri Lanka in relation to the object set out in section 2; submit a report to the Minister on such discussions.

(1) The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the President, in consultation with the Minister, from among persons who have distinguished themselves in the fields of science, technology, agriculture commerce or industry.

(2) A person shall be disqualified from being appointed, or continuing as a member of the Commission if he is a Member of Parliament or a member of Provincial Council or is a Secretary to a Ministry or head of a department of institution, concerned with science and technology development.

(3) A member of the Commission may resign his office by letter addressed to the President, and such resignation, shall be effective from the date on which it is accepted by the President.

(4) The President may remove a member of the Commission from office, without assigning any reason therefor.

(5) Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4), the term of office of a member of the Commission shall be three years.

(6) Where a member of the Commission dies, resigns or is remove from office, the President shall, having regard to the provisions of subsection (1), appoint another member in his place.

(7) A member appointed under subsection (6) shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the member whom he succeeds,

(8) A member vacating office by effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(9)

(10) The members of the Commission shall be paid remuneration at such rites as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of the Finance.

(11) The Commission may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members and no act or proceeding of the Commission shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in the Commission of any defect in the appointment of a member of the Commission

(1) The President may appoint one of the members of the commission to be the Chairman of the Commission.

(2) The Chairman may resign from the office of the Chairman by letter addressed to the President and such resignation shall be effective from the date on which it is accepted by the President.

(3) The President may remove the Chairman from the office of Chairman, without assigning any reason therefor

(4) Subject to he provisions of subsections (2) and(3) the term of office of the Chairman shall be his period of membership in the Commission.

(5) The President may appoint another member of the Commission as an executive member of the Commission to assist the Chairman.

(6) The Commission may delegate any of its powers, functions and duties to the Chairman or the executive member appointed under subsection (5).

(a) to appoint such study, groups or committees as may be necessary for the proper discharge of the functions of the Commission, consisting of persons with the prescribed qualifications, and to define the objectives of such groups or committees;

(b) to request and receive information relating to scientific and technological activity, from individuals, and bodies of persons, to analyse such information and to recommend priority areas for future development :

Provided however that no information receive; from any such individual or body of persons which such individual or body of persons is required to treat as confidential by any agreement between such individual or body of persons and the person to whom the information relates shall be disclosed by the Commission.

(c) to monitor the progress of projects and programs in Science and Technology Institutions ;

(d) to prepare rules for the Sri Lanka Conference on Science and Technology, with the concurrence of the Minister ;

(e) to enter with the approval of the Minister, into agreement for co-operation with institutions abroad having objects wholly or partly similar to those of the Commission for the exchange of technical and personnel and generally for such purpose as may be conducive to the attainment of their common objects ,

(f)to submit before March thirty first of the following yours, a report of the work done by the Commission during the year, to the Minister, who shall cause such report to be laid before Parliament;

(g) to appoint a secretary and such other officers and servants as may be necessary for the proper discharge of its functions.

(a) to initiate facilitate and support basic and applied scientific research by universities, science and technology institutions and scientists, with a view”

(b) to foster the interchange of scientific information among scientists in Sri Lanka and foreign countries ;

(c) to award scholarships and fellowships for scientific study or scientific work at science and technology institutions ;

(d) to maintain a current register of scientific and technical personnel, and in other ways to provide a central clearing house for the collection, interprets” and analysis of data, on the availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and technical resources in Sri Lanka, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation on science, technology and other fields ;

(e) to popularise science amongst the people by funding programmes for that purpose.

(1) The administration, management and control of the affairs of the Foundation shall be vested in a Board of Management (in this Part of this Act referred to as “the Board “) consisting of not more than eleven members to be appointed by the Minister,

(2) The Board shall be consist of”

(3) A member of the Board other than the Director of the Foundation may resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister and such resignation shall he effective from the date on which it is accepted by the Minister.

(4) The Minister may remove a member of the Board (other than the Director of the Foundation) from office, without assigning any reason therefor.

(5) Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4), the term of office of a member of the Board shall be three years.

(6) Where a member of the Board dies, resigns or is removed from office, the Minister shall, having regard to the provisions of subsection (2), appoint another member in his place

(7) A member of the Board appointed under subsection (8) shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the member whom he succeeds.

(8) A member of the Board vacating office by effluxlon of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(9)

(10) The members of the Board shall be paid remuneration at such rates as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.

(11) The Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members and no act or proceeding of the Board hall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in the Board or any defect in the appointment of a member of the Board.

(a) to make research grants to commence or continue research projects connected with the functions of the Foundation ;

(b) to establish and maintain liason with individuals, associations or institutions in Sri Lanka and in other countries with regard to matters relating to funding of research in science and technology in Sri Lanka, and, the impact of such funding on the development of science and technology in Sri Lanka;

(c) to promote and assist Sri Lankan scientists technologists to participate in meetings and short term research WORK outside Sri Lank subject to guidelines prepared by the Foundation a priority areas, subject to guidelines prepared

(d) ‘to promote the publication of one or more journals at the national level;

(e) to establish such working committees as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions of the Foundation ;

(f) to promote and facilitate, the return of Sri Lankan, scientists and technologists of distinction working outside Sri Lanka

(a) to formulate and plan programmes for the development of Information Technology in accordance with the information technology policy of the Government;

(b) to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of in Information Technology plans and programmes including plans and programmes for”

(c) to advise the Commission on Information Technology

(1) The Council shall consist of not more than fifteen members to be appointed by the Minister and shall consist of-

(2) A member of the Council (other than the Director of the Council) may resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister and such resignation shall be effective from the date on which it is accepted by the Minister.

(3)The Minister may remove a member of the Council (other than the Director of the Council) from office without assigning any reason therefor.

(4)Subject to the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) the term of office of a member of the Council shall be three years.

(5) A member of the Council vacating office by effluxion of time shall eligible for re-appointment.

(6) where a member of the Council dies, resigns or is removed from the office, the Minister shall, having regard to the provisions of subsection (1), appoint another member in his place.

(7) A member of the Council appointed under subsection: (6) shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the members whom he succeeds.

(8)

(9) The members of the Council shall be paid remuneration at such rates as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister is charge of the subject of the Finance.

(10) The Council may ace notwithstanding any vacancy among its members and no act or proceeding of the Council shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in the Council or any defeat in the appointment of a member of the Council.

(a) to support industry by”

(b) to conduct research with a view to accelerating industrial technology development;

(c) to collect, process, and disseminate useful technical information, in particular on “shelf technology” with a view to accelarating industrial development;

(d) to undertake training of persons in areas related to the experience of the Technology Institute ;

(e) to undertake or to collaborate in the survey and monitoring of environmental pollution and to recommend remedial measures to mitigate such pollution;

(f) to co-operate with government departments and institutions universities technical colleges and other bodies in demand driven research to promote industrial technology development.

(1) The administration, management and control of the affairs of the Technology Institute shall be vested in a Board of Management (in this Part of this Act referred to us the ” Board “) consisting of not more than nine members appointed by the Minister.

(2) The Board shall consist of –

(3) A member of the Board (other than the Director of the Technology institute) may resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister and such resignation shall be effective from the date on which it is accepted by the Minister.

(4) The Minister may remove a member of the Board other than the Director of the Technology Institute) from office, without assigning any reason therefor.

(5) Subject to the previsions of subsections (3) and (4) the term of office of a member of the Board shall be three fears.

(6) A member of the Board vacating office by effluxion of time shall be, eligible for re-appointment

(7) Where a member of the Board dies, resigns or is removed from office. the Minister shall, having regard to the provisions of subjection (2) appoint another member in his place.

(8) A member of the Board appointed under subsection (7) shall hold office for the unexpired term of office of the member whom he succeeds.

(9)

(10) The members of the Board shall be paid remuneration at such rates as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.

(11) The Board may art notwithstanding any vacancy among its members and no act or proceeding of the Board; shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in the Board or any defect the appointment of a member of the Board.

(1) The Technology Institute may enter into any agreement with any person to carry out any special investigation, with the specific object of the discovery, invention or improvement of any process, apparatus or machine or in relation to any other area connected with the experience of the Technology Institute, subject to such conditions, and the payment of such charges, as may be agreed upon.

(2) A right in any discovery, invention or improvement under any agreement referred to in subsection (1) shall, as may be provided by such agreement but. subject to the provisions of section 66 of the Code of Intellectual Property Act, No. 52 of 1979, be vested in either the Technology Institute or the person requesting the investigation.

(a) to accelerate the introduction of modern technologies, to Sri Lanka by”

(b) to promote future studies.

(1) The administration, management and control of the Clarke Institute shall be vested in a Board of Governors (in this part of this Act referred to as the Board) consisting of not more than eleven members to be appointed by the Minister.

(2) The Board shall consist of”

(3) A member of the Board (other than the Director of the Clarke Institute) may resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister and such resignation shall be effective from the date on which it is accepted by the Minister.

(4) The Minister may remove a member of the Board (other than the Director of the Clarke Institute) from office Without assigning any reason therefor.

(5) Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4), the term of office of a member of the Board shall be three years.

(6) A member of the Board vacating office by effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(7) Where a member of the Board dies, resigns or lit removed from office, the Minister shall, having regard to the provisions of subsection (2), appoint another member in his place.

(8)A member appointed under subsection (7) shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the member whom he succeeds

(9)

(10) The members of the Board shall be paid remuneration at such rates as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance,

(11) The Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members and no act or proceeding of the Board shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in the Board or any defect in the appointment of a member of the Board

(a) to ” the Corporation” shall be deemed to be a reference to the National Science Foundation, the Council for Information Technology, the Industrial Technology Institute or the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, as the case may be;

(b) to ” the Board ” shall be deemed to be a reference to the Board of Management of the National Science Foundation, the Council for Information Technology, the Board of Management of the Industrial Technology Institute or the Board of Governors of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modem Technologies, as the case may be ;

(c) to “the Chairman ” shall be deemed to be a reference to the Chairman of the National Science Foundation or the Chairman of the Council for Information Technology or the Chairman of the Industrial Technology Institute of the Chairman of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, as the case may be ; and

(d) Director or’ the Director of the Corporation shall be deemed to be a reference to the Chairman of the National Science Foundation the or the Director of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies as the case may be,

(a) to acquire and hold any property, movable or immovable and to sell, lease, mortgage, exchange or otherwise dispose of the same ;

(b) to open and maintain, current, savings or deposit accounts in any bank or banks ;

(c) to enter into such contracts, agreements as may be necessary for the exercise, performance or discharge of its powers, duties or functions ;

(d) to invest such of its funds as are not immediately required for” the purposes of the Corporation in such securities as it may determine ;

(e) to erect, equip and maintain such buildings including laboratories, libraries, workshops and offices, as are necessary for the discharge of its functions ;

(f) to collect, print and publish reports, periodical and papers on subjects relevant to its functions;

(g) to appoint such committees and consultants as may be necessary for the proper discharge of its functions;

(h) to acquire such rights, privilege powers licences and authorities as may be necessary for the performance and discharge of its duties and functions;

(i) to enter with the approval of the Minister agreements for co-operation with institutions whether in Sri Lanka or abroad having objects wholly or partly similar to those of the corporation for the exchange of technical personnel generally, for such purposes as to the attainment of their common

(j) to delegate any of its powers. duties and functions the Chairman, the Director or a committee appointed under paragraph (g)

(k)to appoint such officers and servants as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions ;

(l) to exercise disciplinary control, including dismissal, over the officers and servants so appointed, ether than the Director :

(m) to fix the wages or salaries or other remuneration of such officers and servants;

(n) to reward the scientists, engineers and technical personnel and other employees of the Corporation, with incentives based on performance.

(1) The Director shall be the chief executive of the Corporation.

(2) The Minister shall in consultation with the Board and have regard to the qualification and the scheme of recruitment specified under subsection (3) appoint a Director of the Corporation.

(3) The Board shall with concurrence of the Minister, specify the qualifications and the scheme of recruitment for the post of the Director of the Corporation.

(4) The Director of the Corporation shall hold office for a period of five years calculated from the date of his appointment.

(5) The Minister may, on recommendation of the Board, made after due inquiry, remove the Director from office”

(6)The Director of the Corporation shall be paid such remuneration as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.

(7) The provisions of subsection (2) shall not apply to, or in relation to, the appointment of the first Director of the Corporation.

(1) Every member of the Board or of a committee thereof, and every officer of the Corporation shall, before entering upon his duties, sign a declaration pledging himself to observe strict secrecy respecting all matters connected with the working, of the Corporation and shall by suet declaration pledge himself not to reveal any information, which may come to his knowledge in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his functions, except”

(2) Nothing in the preceding provisions of this section shall be read and construed as authorizing a member of the Board or an officer of the Corporation to reveal any information or to do any Act, in contravention of the rights conferred on any person, by, or under, the Code of Intellectual Property Act, No. 52 of 1979.

(a) shall be in the custody of such person as the Board may from time to time determine ;

(b) may be altered in such manner as may be determined by the Board ; and

(c) shall not be affixed to any document except with the sanction of the Board and in the presence of the Director and a member of the Board who shall sign the document in token of their presence.

(1) No suit or prosecution shall lie”

(2) Any expenses incurred by the Board in any suit or prosecution brought by or against the Board before any court shall be paid out of the Fund of the Corporation and any costs paid to, or recovered by the Board in any such suit or prosecution, shall be credited to the Fund of the Corporation,

(3) Any expenses incurred by any such person as is referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) in any suit or prosecution brought against him before any court in respect of any act which is done or is purported to be done by him under this Act or on the direction of the Board shall, if the court holds that such act was done ill good faith, be paid out of the Fund of the Corporation unless such expense is recovered by him in such suit or prosecution.

(1) he Minister may make regulation in respect of all matters which are required to be prescribed under this Act and in respect of all matters for which regulations are authorized or required by this Act to be made.

(2) No regulations made by the minister under subsection (1) shall come into force unless it is approved by the Parliament and the notification of such approval published in the Gazette.

(1) The Corporation shall have its own Fund.

(2) There shall be paid into the Fund of the Corporation”

(3) There shall be paid out of the Fund of the Corporation all sums of money required to defray any expenditure incurred by the Corporation in the exercise, performance and discharge of its power.’, duties, and functions under this Act and any other expenses which are authorized or required to be paid out of the Fund of the Corporation by any other provision of this Act.

(1) The financial year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year.

(2) The Corporation shall cause proper accounts to be kept of its income and expenditure, assets and liabilities and all other transactions of the Corporation.

(3) The provisions of Article 154 of the Constitution relating to the accounts of public corporation shall apply to the accounts of the Corporation.

(a) any customs or excise duty on any goods imported, or purchased out of bond, by the Corporation, if the Minister in consultation with the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance approves of such exemption ;

(b)any stamp duty on any instrument executed by, or on behalf of or in favour of, the Corporation,

(1) The natural Resources Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka Act, No. 78 of 1981, the Computer and Information Technology Council of Sri Lanka Act No. 10 of 1984, the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research Act and the Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies Act, No. 30 of 1984, are hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the aforesaid Acts”

In this subsection”

” relevant Corporation” means the Natural Resources Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka established by the Natural Resources Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka Act, No. 78 of 1981, the Computer and Information Technology Council of Sri Lanka established by the Computer and Technology Council of Sri Lanka Act, No. 10 of 1984, the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research established by the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research Act, and the Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies established by the Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies Act, No, 30 of 1984;

“corresponding Corporation ” when used in relation to”