27. Interpretation

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires–

“innovation” includes–

(a)

a novel technological model, utility model or industrial design;

(b)

a product, process, service or idea which is novel;

(c)

an improved use of a new product, service or method in industry, business or society;

(d)

indigenous or traditional knowledge gained by people by making use of natural resources, including plants, animals and the environment; and

(e)

subject to the provisions of the

Intellectual Property Act, No.36 of 2003, any other non-patentable creations or improvements which may be deemed as deserving promotion and protection or sui generis intellectual property rights, in the fields of social innovation, science and technology innovation, defence innovation, eco innovation and service innovation, and “innovator” shall be construed accordingly;

“Minister” means, the Minister assigned the

National Innovation Agency under Article 43 or 44 of the Constitution;

National Innovation Agency

“National Innovation Eco system” means, the diverse nature of participants and resources including organizations, institutions and people in the country that coexist and function as a unit which is necessary for innovation;

“Social Innovation Lab” means, a place that uses foresight and innovation tools to prototype and test development solutions for social problems, through citizen-centric engagements to ensure they are agile and holistic before nation-wide implementation;

“Technology” means the application of knowledge to meet the goals, goods and services for sustainable development;

“Traditional knowledge” means, the wisdom developed over generations of holistic traditional scientific utilization of the lands, natural resources, and environment;

“recognized University” means, a University established or deem to be established under the provisions of the Universities Act, No.

16 of 1978 or any other written law.

Read on from s 28