Technological innovation vital for wealth generation, said University of Surrey Advanced Technology Institute Director Professor Ravi Silva. He was addressing a workshop on Exploring Opportunities in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology organised by the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya and the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation. The Professor said "Nanotechnology is a new way of making things. It promises more for less. Nanotechnology enables improving a huge sector such as food, water, medicine, energy etc. "It is capable of reducing sugar, carbohydrate and fat in your body'. Using nanotechnology the silver particles are able to kill bacteria and even toxic viruses. Nano silver is being used to produce health goods. "If we are to really emerge from poverty, we should develop technology. The gap between the rich and poor is the technology gap. Other countries have got opportunities of ICT, Bio technology etc, but we have failed in doing so. However we will be able to develop nanotechnology in our country and we are setting up a BOI public-private company in Homagama. We believe that we will be able to boost our economy and finally develop the country,' he said. The principal objective of the workshop was to expose the country's aspiring nanotechnologists and nano-scientists to select overviews of some of the research and development avenues that may be pursued in Sri Lanka. Professor Jorden M. Berg of USA and several eminent local scientists and technologists made presentations.