Sri Lanka to set up Nanotechnology Research Institute

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Science and Technology is launching two nanotechnology institutions called NANCO and the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) next year as joint ventures with the private sector, according to local websites.

Gihan Amarathunge of the University of Cambridge was quoted as saying that, "Sri Lankan nano research will initially focus on industries such as apparel, rubber, ceramic, chemical products such as paints, activated carbon, mineral and herbal products which are the main industries in Sri Lanka.”

He said nanotechnology research will enable these industries to face the risk and compete globally. “For instance our apparel industry is catering for high end niche markets and we are competing in quality and not in volume.