Technologies for Poverty Reduction

The Political Perspective

Chamuditha SamarawickramaTeleshan Network Limited

(Sri Lanka)

How to use ‘technology’ for poverty reduction / development?

“Acquiring of and adoption of new technology should be match our culture, environment, ecology of Sri Lanka and should not have long term negative externalities. New technology for small and medium scale needed, not large scale. But current policy environment not conducive and the state should intervene”

Prof. Tissa Witharana

Member of the politburo of LSSP

“Need to take a long term perspective . Appropriate indigenous technologies used in the past need to be utilized for future of Sri Lanka and believe in a policy for technology development. It is compulsory to use new science and technology and information technology.”

Mr Tilak Karunarathna

The leader of the Sihala Urumaya

“New technology should be adopted, but not everything that comes to the country. Technology is not black or white and should be brown (appropriate and environmentally friendly) which do not put the country into danger. We have to be cautious against the dirt coming in the name of technology using developing countries as junk yards that we pay high price to acquire.”

Sunil Handunneththi

MP of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna

“Failure to adopt new technology in an appropriate manner resulted in the current status. ICT can be used for development of the country. Technology should be accessible to remote rural villages and people should participate in decisions. Education reforms should result in local talent, research and development.”

Susil Premajayanth

Parliamentarian, People’s Alliance

“New technology adoption is a must to compete in the current world. People should be educated to eliminate fears about the technology.”

Gamini Lokuge

Minister of Tourism, UNP government.

Indian Political Parties on Technology for Development

“NDA believes in the principal of the integration of science & technology for the sustainable development.”

National Democratic Alliance

“Science & technology has a very important role to play in transforming India into a prosperous and strong nation.”

BJP Political manifesto 1998

“New technological missions will be launched in the areas of defence, agriculture energy, and health and animal husbandry.”

Indian National Congress

“In promoting self reliance, a suitable science and technology policy will be adopted which provides for development and scientific institutions and development of substantial R & D potential in India”

Communist party, India

Nepal Political Parties on Technology for Development

“Ensure that the technology will be used to improve the infrastructure for the growth of agriculture. But we have to remain on alert to assess the effects of the imported technology on the environment, culture and society.”

Nepali Congress Political manifesto

Points for Discussion

Why most often policies do not reflect political manifestos of parties?

Are technologies neutral? Is technology democracy possible? How to establish equal distribution systems? Why should subsidies be removed? How to balance national development priorities (i.e.

selective protectionism) and new world order? How do we motivate politicians?