US to fund $15m high-tech lab in SL
- By KirshCNL
- July 16, 2025
- Education, News, Political
- @MoU US & SL high tec lab
- 0 Comments
An MoU was signed yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat between the Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology (SLIBTEC) and US-based STEMedical to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory with international accreditation under a $15 million investment.
The agreement, facilitated by the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialisation (NIRDC), was signed by STEMedical founder Prof. Hans Keirstead, SLIBTEC Chairman Prof. Samitha Hettige, and Chief Operating Officer Amali Ranasinghe.
The facility will provide internationally accredited testing services to support multiple sectors including health, agriculture, cosmetics, and Ayurveda.It will also complement existing laboratories across the island, enhancing quality assurance for both local and export markets.
Senior Presidential Advisor on Science and Technology, Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya, said the project aligns with the government’s goal of doubling export revenue by 2030, noting that international accreditation is essential for global market access.
Prof. Keirstead, a leading stem cell scientist and CEO of the Human Immunome Project, stated that the initiative would bring both clinical and economic benefits, positioning Sri Lanka as a regional hub for accredited testing.
Also present at the signing were the President’s Senior Additional Secretary Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director-General Dr. Muditha Senarath Yapa, and STEMedical CEO Dr. Nistor Gabriel Loan.
