The Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) successor to the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISIR), that functions within the purview of the Ministry of Economic Reform, Science and Technology has formulated a strategic 100-day revolutionary programme.

It said within the 100-day programme priority will be provided for ‘Science and technology for peace’ where the ITI will initiate a water quality-monitoring programme with the universities in the North and East to assess the quality of surface and ground water for domestic use that may be contaminated from the use of weapons, agrochemicals and poor sanitary conditions.

“With respect to good governance the institute is planning to implement a computerized cost management system for budgetary discipline and better control of expenditure that can serve as a pilot model for other government departments and institutions and also formulate and implement an effective staff evaluation system,” an ITI press release said.

To assist in the development of the rural economy, training programmes will be conducted in Matale and Ratnapura on the manufacture of bakery and confectionery products respectively.

A dryer using waste head of flue gas for drying medicinal plants for the Ritigala ayurvedic drug-processing centre will be fabricated and installed and a sodium silicate plant will be commissioned at Gampaha.

With respect to health and nutrition, an iron-rich food supplement for pregnant and lactating mothers will be developed, the raw material for ten important ayurvedic preparations will be standardized, a training programme on hygiene and sanitation for the catering sector will be conducted and food and aqua feed from stabilized rice bran will be formulated.

Youth will be given priority by the ITI, opening its doors to school children for providing awareness of functions and activities through two ‘Open days’ at the end of March and also by formulating a scheme to take S & T to the rural youth on a regular basis.

With respect to environmental management, five effluent treatment plants for a textile industry, a distillery and three service stations will be commissioned and a waste water recycling plant based on reverse osmosis technology for a leading sewing thread manufacturer will be designed.