📈 Sri Lanka’s Research Ecosystem: Challenges, Progress & Way Forward

Sri Lanka's national research and development (R&D) sector faces a "silent crisis" due to chronic underfunding and structural gaps, hindering its shift toward a knowledge-based economy. However, institutional models like the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) demonstrate path-breaking progress. • Overall Challenges in R&D National expenditure remains below global benchmarks with restricted primary data access and complex patenting. Shortages of reagents and skilled technical personnel heavily impact specialized fields like biotechnology and medicine. Weak academia-industry linkages and bureaucratic inefficiencies stall the commercialization of new innovations. • USJP’s Institutional Success Driven by its Research Council, USJP invested over LKR 1.3 Bn over the past decade via UGC and internal funds. The investment yielded 365 MPhil/PhD graduates and over 5,000 published journal articles. At its recent 2024/2025 Research Awards, 883 awards were conferred across 11 categories to celebrate academic excellence. • Strategic Way Forward The study highlights that national development relies on integrating academic research into public policymaking. Call for the UGC, policymakers, and industry leaders to collaborate, streamline administration, and enhance funding to scale this model nationally.