Ministry of Technology, Research and Atomic is to present a National Research and Development Plan on October 7.

Although it is now almost 40 years since Sri Lanka opened its economy, its per capita income is comparatively much lower that other countries with an open economy. Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the "middle income trap" cannot be overcome by steering the country towards an hospitality and entertainment based economy. Instead, a knowledge based innovation ecomomy should be implemented, Ranawaka said.

The National Plan is based on 10 main areas and suggestions from scholars were also taken into account when preparing the document. Around 1000 suggestions had been received from different scholars for the plan.

The document will be released on October 7 at 9.30am at BMICH. Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Governor of Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Dialog CEO Hand Wijesuriya, Former Vice Chancellor of Sri Jayawardenapura University Narada Warnasooriya are to speak on this occasion.