In collaboration with the Sri Lanka Twin Registry project and King's College, London we are about to open this modern genetic laboratory equipped with a fully automated gene sequencer. more...
We are a group of concerned professionals who wish to see an overarching research culture in Sri Lanka.
Although high impact research takes place in our country, it is fragmented and rarely transferred into policy and practice. Therefore we are working to achieve a paradigm shift in the thinking and actions of the scientific and scholarly community to create a new strategic alliance among academics, scholars, professionals and the public, to build a new research culture in Sri Lanka, so that the power of knowledge in science & technology could be mobilized to address the problems of the society using an evidence-based approach, which in turn is crucial for the sustainable development of the country. In short, our slogan is - 'Research for development and policy impact'.
During initial years of conceptualization, we realized that an initiative with a different focus and emphasis was needed to rectify the contradictory gaps existing in Sri Lanka; even with a high literacy rate in the region, Sri Lanka lacked an overarching research culture. Therefore, we decided to bring all our activities under one organization. The Forum for Research and Development (FRD) was initially incorporated as a non profit, independent, academic institution and a professional network. Recently it was converted into Institute for Research & Development, through a parliamentary act.
Provided leadership, to bring together a critical mass of influential Sri Lankan academics and professionals from diverse disciplines, either living in Sri Lanka or abroad.
Created a strong organizational structure to facilitate and conduct multidisciplinary research and collaborations.
Undertaken and conducted various research, and made attempts to translate those findings into policies and practices, some of which has made national, regional as well as international impact.
Brought in a strong emphasis of ethics into our research activities, and also to carryout research on ethical issues, contributed to the increasing international debate on the importance of respecting rights of developing world research participants.
Secured 8 competitive, peer reviewed grants from the largest international research charity, “The Wellcome Trust” in collaboration with King's College, University of London, one grant from the WHO and one from the World Bank through the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka.
Achieved an impressive record in terms of conventional measurable out put of research, i.e. publications in peer reviewed journals.
Provided supervision to local postgraduate students.It is also another measurable output of academic success.
Developed a strong research group; over 35 researchers at different levels of training along with over 50 associates who are involved at various levels while employed in other institutions.
Made a policy impact on some of the issues related to post tsunami period, particularly in the areas of mental health and disaster related work.
Established an expatriate forum, local professional forum and a student forum.
Consolidated efforts to publish a trilingual journal ‘Gaveshana'. This has made a strategic impact on stimulating research among Advanced Level students, networking among the academic community and popularizing science. It is now in its third year and nine issues has been published up to date.
Intended Audience
The IRD website is aimed at an audience comprising of health professionals including Doctors and other allied health workers, researchers, media, students and the general public. The website contains information on various research projects carried out by the IRD, past research publications, various news and information on current and new projects and their development. Also, the website will link the viewer to a research journal published by the IRD.
How we moved... 
