(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Minister Thilanga Sumathipala gives instructions to expedite the establishment works of Timber Design Innovation Centre (TDIC) and Timber Process Innovation Centre (TPIC)
The State Minister of Technology and Innovation gave instructions to the relevant officials to expedite the process of setting up a Timber Designing Innovation Centre (TDIC) and Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC), an initiative envisaged to add value to the Sri Lankan timber industry and being implemented on cabinet approval.
The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) functioning under the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa and University of Sri Jayawardenapura, are assigned the task of setting up these two timber innovation centers.
Once these two innovation centers begin operations, the country will be given the opportunity of introducing timber based innovation designs to the high end global export market with these centres operating as fully fledged timber innovation centers in future.
Through the successful operation of this centres, the Ministry expects to accomplish the long-term outcomes such as establishing the Moratuwa area as a region of excellence in timber product designs, upscale and redefine small timber manufacturers in Sri Lanka, capacity building through trainings, knowledge and technology transferring, job creation in timber industry creating a unique branding identified for Sri Lankan timber designs and protecting it through intellectual property, enhancing high-end export market opportunities for Sri Lankan timber and timber based products, increasing the GDP contribution of timber and timber based products, and increasing innovative timber exports targeting economic growth.
Ensuring the successful implementation of the project a tripartite MOU was entered into between University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayawardanapura and COSTI functioning under the Ministry of Technology and Innovation. Funds have been handed over to the respective Universities to undertake relative activities identified for implementation under TPIC and TDIC in the plan of action of the ministry.
University of Sri J’pura is in the process of conducting 4 researches on timber process innovation under TPIC and ready to launch an online platform for all levels of timber industrialists.
Parallel to this initiative, cabinet approval has been granted for Sri Lanka to secure membership of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).
