by Our Political Affairs Editor
Thrishantha Nanayakkara is a distinguished Professor of Robotics at Imperial College London, where he leads groundbreaking research in controllable stiffness robots. His work delves into the intricate interactions between physical mechanisms in the human body and the environment, aiming to solve complex computational challenges that enable precise perception and stable action in dynamic environments. As Director of the Morph Lab, he is pioneering innovative robotic systems that adapt to the complexities of real-world scenarios.
Dr Nanayakkara’s academic career spans prestigious institutions worldwide. Before joining Imperial College, he held senior positions at King’s College London, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, making significant contributions to the fields of robotics, design engineering, and biomedical engineering. His expertise, coupled with a commitment to both research and teaching, has earned him numerous accolades, including fellowships from the IEEE and the Higher Education Academy.
With a PhD from Saga University in Japan and postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins University, Dr Nanayakkara is recognised as a leader in the robotics field, dedicated to advancing technological innovation and education.
We sat down with him for an insightful conversation about his latest projects, the political landscape of Sri Lanka, and his views on the future of education in the country, among other critical topics.
“Thrish, it’s been a while since we last connected,” I began, noting his continued achievements. “How have you been? What are your latest projects or any specific engagements you’re currently involved in?”
“Yes, it’s been a while,” he smiled. “Well, my lab at Imperial is going well with several new projects in soft robotics, particularly with applications in medicine and surgery. In addition, I’m slowly building a collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on mechanical intelligence for space robots. In fact, I spent two weeks in September visiting my collaborators at JPL. So, I’m happy with growing research collaborations with multiple partners around the world.”
His enthusiasm for his work is palpable, and it is clear that he is pushing the boundaries of innovation not just in robotics but also in fields as diverse as space exploration and healthcare.
I think Gotabaya was a victim of entitled mentality in some of his close circles and relatives.
When asked about his recent visit to Sri Lanka, Thrishantha shared his ongoing involvement in the country’s development. “I visited Sri Lanka last year. I have started two start-ups active in the Sri Lankan precision agriculture sector. This is a good way to stay connected with Sri Lanka’s economy,” he explained.
Turning to Sri Lanka’s political landscape, particularly the short-lived presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the severe economic crisis that followed, I asked him for his views on what lessons could be learned.
“Reflecting on what happened, I think Gotabaya was a victim of entitled mentality in some of his close circles and relatives. One must carefully observe how political appointments were made to key government institutes. Most political appointees did not put the country first. I hope future Sri Lankan leaders will learn the lesson to separate family and relatives from governance.”
He went on to discuss his assessment of Ranil Wickremesinghe’s role in navigating the country through the economic crisis. “I think Ranil Wickremesinghe did a good job given the challenging situation he inherited. He took quick measures to stabilise the economy. However, he didn’t have a clear long-term vision on his own. He was pretty much guided by the IMF. Even if he had a vision for the poor, he didn’t communicate that to the masses. His interviews to foreign media closer to the presidential election showed how disconnected he was from the grassroots.”
Shifting the focus to the new president, Dissanayake, I asked him if he thought the current leadership differed from previous politicians.
“President Dissanayake is very different from all prime ministers and presidents Sri Lanka has ever had. He can reach out to multiple layers of society. He is a great learner and a listener. He is more pragmatic than anybody we have seen so far. Look at how he ran the government with just a three-member cabinet without making a noticeable mistake. He prioritised the needs and showed his vision by action. He gave clear instructions to his party members, prioritising the use of power for the people’s welfare. Finally, he could unify Sri Lanka. I think the real end of the war was on 21st September 2024, when people in Jaffna, for the first time, crossed ethno-centric politics for a common purpose. This is truly a remarkable turning point in Sri Lankan politics. I am very impressed by his pragmatic approach.”
The recent parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka have led to a supermajority for the NPP/JVP, securing 159 out of 225 seats. I asked Thrishantha to evaluate this unprecedented mandate.
“This is an unprecedented mandate given to a single party. Never heard of this in Sri Lanka. The biggest advantage is that the NPP can now pass laws without having to give in to any vested interests of coalition partners. This will speed up implementing the NPP vision presented to the people. I look forward to the implementation of enterprise promotion with competitive and expert-reviewed seed grants given to start-up companies by innovators. In addition, I look forward to a noticeable improvement in the rule of law. Just look at how unruly private buses harass people on the roads. Hope they stop such thuggery and bow down to the law, and the police will be different.”
However, he acknowledged the risks involved. “This power is not without risks. Some MPs and their supporters, over time, can get the feeling that they are invincible. But I hope seasoned seniors in the NPP will make sure that everybody understands the weight of the expectations of the people, and the risk of losing trust. A large part of the checks and balances should come from within the NPP to effectively stay balanced with this much power. I am sure the seniors in the NPP are aware of the new political dynamics in Sri Lanka after the ‘Gota go home’ movement. Now people have realised how much power they have in unison. This is a formidable but dormant force to keep all politicians under public scrutiny.”
When I asked him about what conditions the NPP/JVP must fulfil to sustain public trust and govern effectively, his response was clear.
“The only way is to walk the talk. This is not easy, but the NPP must show by action how good governance looks to the people. Once people taste it, nobody else will be able to bring back the rotten old ways. The usual practice of having interlocks among the executive, legislature, and the judiciary is important without one trying to derail another.”
The NPP should not make the mistakes JR Jayawardena did in geopolitics.
On the subject of geopolitics, Thrishantha was adamant that Sri Lanka must tread carefully in the current global climate. “Geopolitics is an important factor for an island nation like Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka should have good economic partnerships with all superpowers while not compromising the security and stability of India. Everybody should have something significant to lose in Sri Lanka if Sri Lanka destabilises. This means tight economic collaborations with key partners.”
He was also wary of past mistakes in foreign relations, especially under the leadership of former president JR Jayawardena. “The NPP should not make the mistakes JR Jayawardena did in geopolitics. President Anura Kumara has shown a deep understanding of the complexity of geopolitics in South Asia. I am sure he will take prudent and pragmatic steps to strengthen ties with India and the rest. Appointing a seasoned politician like Vijitha Herath as the Minister of Foreign Affairs shows how well he understands the gravity of the challenge.”
Turning to education, I asked Thrishantha about his thoughts on Sri Lanka’s educational system, which often struggles to keep pace with technological advancements. “I am just one among many Sri Lankans who have managed to be successful. I don’t think I am in a rare category. Anyhow, I agree, Sri Lanka needs major reforms in education. Education has two sides. Studying the principles already known to humankind is one aspect. Investigating to learn the unknown is the other aspect. There are so many things in Sri Lanka that existing knowledge cannot predict. One example is the outbreaks of mosquito-related epidemics. Can there be a locally developed technology to spot breeding grounds and apply chemicals in a targeted way? Existing book knowledge has gaps here. Therefore, it requires locally relevant investigation to develop new knowledge.”
He emphasised the need for an education system that encourages inquiry. “Sri Lankan education has been very good at teaching the known but needs significant investment to improve the investigative side. In the modern world with very advanced R&D happening in large companies, common knowledge becomes obsolete very fast. In such a world, education should be more geared towards training students to be good learners. Even in primary and secondary education, students should be given more chances to do observations and experiments. They will understand principles better when they experience the principles in action.”
Thrishantha’s vision for Sri Lanka’s educational future is one that integrates emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, but also maintains a strong foundation in core scientific principles. “Giving wide opportunities to learn the principles of AI is of course a good thing. There will be a lot of job opportunities in that area. However, there should be a balance. AI is not everything. It will soon be a general tool everybody will use. What is more important is to teach students the mathematics, physics, and computing principles needed to be a good learner of AI and other related tech like robotics.”
When asked about the impact of Vipassana meditation and his time in Thailand on his journey as a scientist and educator, he shared that the key to his growth has been “enjoying the simplicity of the present moment and focusing on what I can do in the present moment.” He explained that this practice has helped him make rapid progress, especially during challenging times. While it may sound simple, he acknowledged that truly practising mindfulness is difficult.
On the topic of addressing inefficiency and corruption in Sri Lanka’s institutional frameworks, Thrishantha was firm in his opinion. “First, there should be a common understanding that corruption and inefficiency are bad. There should be KPIs for every government institute. Their salaries and reward schemes should be tied to these KPIs.”
He also pointed out that social behaviour plays a role in systemic issues. “People, in general, should contribute too. People just want to skip the line without thinking about what happens if everybody does so. Just look at the roads. Everybody tries to overtake the other, and nobody goes any faster than they could have just by driving in lanes.”
He recognised that AI and robotics could help streamline public sector operations. “AI will certainly help to improve the efficiency of the public sector by efficiently using data to make predictions about taking alternative action. Robotics is of course helpful to fill labour shortages. However, their adoption should be driven by market forces.”
Finally, I asked him about how global dynamics might affect Sri Lanka, particularly in light of political developments in the United States, Europe, and the UK. “Sri Lanka, like any other country, will have to live with these realities. Sri Lanka can be a neutral mediator in the region. In addition, Sri Lanka can establish strategic economic partnerships with all key global players. Sri Lanka should be very careful about how it manages maritime defence. There should be tight coordination with India.”
