Driving innovation in Sri Lanka is now increasingly being recognized as a key determinant of the country’s long term growth prospects. Everyone from private sector leaders to government policy planners are keen to understand how the power of innovation can be ignited to drive enterprise profitability and drive faster and inclusive growth nationally. We decided to tackle this issue in the latest version of the IPS Talking Economics Digest through an ‘Innovation Special Issue’.

In the second article in the Talk Nanotech special series, we have a guest article by Shalini Dharmawardena, Senior Economist (Economic Research Department) – Central Bank of Sri Lanka. She argues that the industrial thrust, budgetary allocations, commitment of financial institutions, education policy, and private sector enthusiasm will be the key success factors in achieving a competitive edge for Sri Lanka in the international nanotechnology arena. She emphasises that collaboration is essential, with a synergy of state allocated funds, private sector participation, expatriate scientists contribution, and the financial sector involvement.

In the effort to expand our reach and open up the accessibility of IPS research, we are pleased to announce a further release of Policy Briefs of the 2009, 2008,2007, 2006 and 2005 editions of the IPS flagship publication ‘Sri Lanka: State of the Economy’ (SOE) which are now available for free download. These were earlier contained only in the print version of the publication, available for sale at the IPS and leading bookstores.

An e-book of the ‘Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2012’ containing summary information and visuals of the 7 key chapters is now available for free download. This e-book also contains links to a video presentation of the main highlights of the report.

For those of you who missed the ‘Talking Economics’ Expert Voices panel on “The Jobs Challenge” held in August, here it is in a three part video series. The event featured 5 interesting panelists sharing their expert views and around 50 audience members who actively engaged in the discussion and asked incisive questions.