The minister moving the Institute of Fundamental Studies (Bill) for its second reading stage debate said Sri Lanka needed to be on par with the rest of the world and should target to contribute more in technology and research sectors by 2015-20.

The Institute of Fundamental Studies is rendering a yeoman service in the research sector of this country. This institute had been set up under the provisions of the Institute of Fundamental Studies Act of 1985 No 55. It was amended in 1997. It is our duty to amend the provisions to suit the needs of the day. Among the objectives of amending the Act were to rename the institute as National Institute of Fundamental Studies and to increase the number of members in the board of governors.

The board of governors of the Institute of Fundamental Studies comprises the President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. But there is a doubt whether these busy persons could render their valuable time for the matters of this institute. This institute had been set up during the times of President JR Jayewardene to make the country a centre of knowledge in Asia, the minister added.(HC)

Special Reporter