a. To initiate, facilitate and support basic and applied scientific research by universities, science and technology institutions and scientists, with a view to:

• Strengthening scientific research potential, including research in the social science, and science education programmes
• Developing the natural resources of Sri Lanka
• Promoting the welfare of the people of Sri Lanka
• Training research personnel in science and technology

b. To foster the interchange of scientific information among scientists in Sri Lanka and abroad.

c. To award scholarships and fellowships for scientific study or scientific work at recognized science and technology institutions.

d. To maintain a current register of scientific and technical personnel, and in other ways to the availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and technical resources in Sri Lanka, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation on science, technology and other fields.

e. To popularize science amongst the people by funding and executing programmes for the purpose.
Internal regulations, functions and powers

Internal regulations, functions and powers

There shall be established a Foundation to be called the National Science Foundation (in this Part of this Act referred as “the Foundation”). The Foundation shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in such name.

a. to initiate, facilitate and support basic and applied scientific research by universities, science and technology institutions and scientists, with a view

• to strengthening scientific research potential, including research in the social sciences, and science education programmes
• to developing the natural resources of Sri Lanka,
• to promoting the welfare of the people of Sri
• Lanka and
• to training research personnel in science and technology,

b. to foster the interchange of scientific information among scientists in Sri Lanka and foreign countries ,

c. to award scholarships and fellowships for scientific study or scientific work at science and technology institutions ,

d. to maintain a current register of scientific and technical personnel, and in other ways to provide a central clearing house for the collection, interpreta¬tion and analysis of data, on the availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and technical resources in Sri Lanka, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation on science, technology and other fields,

e. to popularize science amongst the people by funding programmes for that purpose.

b. The Board shall be consist of

• a Chairman
• the Director of the Foundation
• a representative of the University Grants Commission
• a representative of the National Institute of Education
• a representative of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science
• a representative of the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka
• a representative of the Ministry of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance  and
• not more than four other persons who have gained eminence in the fields of science, education, research, management or administration.

c. A member of the Board other than the Director of the Foundation may resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister and such resignation shall be effective from the date on which it is accepted by the Minister.

d. The Minister may remove a member of the Board (other than the Director of the Foundation) from office without assigning any reason there for.

e. Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4), the term of office of a member of the Board shall be three years.

f. Where a member of the Board dies, resigns or is removed from office, the Minister shall, having regard to the provisions of subsection (2), appoint another member in his place.

g. A member of the Board appointed under subsection(6) shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the member whom he succeeds.

h. A member of the Board vacating office by effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.

i.

• The quorum for any meeting of the Board shall be five.
• The Chairman shall preside at every meeting of the Board. In the absence of the Chairman from any meeting of the Board, a member chosen by the majority of the members present at such meeting shall preside at such meeting.
• The Chairman of any meeting of the Board shall in addition to his own vote, have a casting vote.
• The Board shall meet at least once every month
• Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board may regulate the procedure in regard to its meetings and the conduct of business at such meetings.

j. The members of the Board shall be paid remunera¬tion at such rates as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.

k. The Board may act -notwithstanding any vacancy among its members and no act or proceeding of the Board shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in the Board or any defect in the appointment of a member of the Board

In addition to the powers conferred on it by section 25, the Foundation shall have the following powers: —

• to make research grants to commence or continue research projects connected with the functions of the Foundation
• to establish and maintain liason with individuals, associations or institutions in Sri Lanka and in other countries with regard to matters relating to funding of research in science and technology in Sri Lanka, and, the impact of such funding on the development of science and technology in Sri Lanka
• to promote and assist Sri Lankan scientists and technologists to participate in meetings and short¬ term research work outside Sri Lanka, subject to guidelines prepared by the Foundation and to arrange for expatriate scientists and technologists to work in Sri Lanka on short term fellowships in priority areas, subject to guidelines prepared by the Foundation;
• to promote the publication of one or more journals at the national level
• to establish such working committees as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions of the Foundation
• to promote and facilitate, the return of Sri Lankan scientists and technologists of distinction working outside Sri Lanka.

The NSF abides by two principles.

Universality of Science

The NSF observes and upholds the freedom of scientists as individuals, to communicate and associate with other scientists globally, in the furtherance of their science without discrimination on grounds other than scientific merit. Furthermore, in pursuing its objectives in respect of the rights and responsibilities of scientists, the NSF opposes any discrimination based on age, ethnic origin, gender, language, and physical disability, political stance, and religion. NSF shall not accept disruption of its own activities by statements or actions that intentionally or otherwise prevent the application of this principle.

Freedom in the Pursuit of Science

The NSF observes and upholds the rights of scientists to freely pursue science, provided it is in accordance with accepted scientific process and is undertaken responsibly. The NSF recognizes that individual scientists have a responsibility to conduct their work with honesty, integrity, openness and respect, and a collective responsibility to maximize the benefits of science and to dispel the misuse of science for society as a whole.

Promoting IP awareness & protection the following projects/programmes are conducted.

Intellectual Property awareness

• IP education facilitating project in the universities & schools
• IP awareness among all categories of people in the country

Intellectual Property Protection

• Patent Desk providing facilities for patent data search and PCT filing
• Financial support for patenting, renewing of patents and patent drafting - (NSF policy)
• Provide consultancy on IP related matters
• Facilitate capacity building for protection of IP

NSF patent help desk is a guiding path to acquire all sorts of information which is necessary in seeking protection of your invention. There are several compelling for why one should protect his invention. Progress and well-being of humanity rests on its capacity for new creations in the areas of technology and culture. Legal protection of these new creations encourages the expenditure of additional resources which leads to further innovation. Promotion and protection of inventions spurs economic growth, creates new jobs and industries, and enhances the quality and enjoyment of life.

1. Building regulatory frameworks/tools for technology development and promotion

• Formulation and the implementation of the UI-I Partnership policy - Policy is being developed.
• Facilitate formulation and implementation of Institutional IP Policies
• IP audit and IP strategy development

The intellectual property audit (IP Audit) is a management tool for the assessment of the value and risk of intellectual property assets. Its objective is to gain a comprehensive view of the environment for the development of IP assets. Data collected in IP Audit will help address how well a country or region is equipped to participate in economic growth based on intellectual property assets. It is envisaged to conduct IP audit in Sri Lanka and the preparatory work is being done. Building institutional capabilities in technology development & promotion of innovation

b. Technological information dissemination

• Maintaining the Technology databank of technological information and service providers.
• A list of addresses of 3300 technology developers (industry, university, R&D institutions, are available with us.
• Facilitate providing technical solutions to SMEs
• Providing technological information to SMEs

c. Collaborative activities with the Vidatha Centres

d. Organizing conferences, seminars and workshops for technological information dissemination-industry needs assessment