Business
Sri Lanka Navy to map out hydrographic chart eying US$ 200 million revenue per year
by Sanath Nanayakkare
State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said on Tuesday that Sri Lanka Navy will undertake the task of mapping out an essential map for safe marine navigation for ocean-going ships sailing in Sri Lankan waters.
“Many countries require merchant ships to have these maps on board for safe navigation when they have entered a specific country’s waters wherever the ships’ destination may be and pay for the host country’s service,” he said.
“This is a marine geo-spatial product and service required to be used by international law to ensure safe navigation of merchant ships. These ships don’t necessarily have to enter a country’s sea port. But they need to use it while sailing in a country’s waters to comply with safety protocols. A hydrography map will measure the water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, the location of possible obstructions and physical features of the sea at the time and help keep maritime transportation moving safely and efficiently in any given region. The map obtains necessary data by surveying with multibeam echo sounders. The accuracy of the hydrography map is critically important for many applications to reduce uncertainties while sailing in coastal lines.
They indicate shoals, rocks and wrecks that could be hazards to navigation. They also collect information on water level and tides, currents etc. The maps will indicate shore line and square nautical miles of a country’s waters considered critical to navigation. Now, the government has focused on mapping out an indigenous hydrography map to earn foreign currency from the service because it is our business and we have to claim it,” he said.
Further speaking he said:
“Sri Lanka’s nautical maps date back to more than a century which means we have not even touched them after the era of British rule. Now the Sri Lanka Navy is to be asked to update these maps in the next two years. We expect revenue of US$ 200 million by providing this service to all ships that sail in Sri Lankan waters. Every ship is required to use these maps as I said and they are required to make a payment for the service. These are opportunities that we haven’t tapped over many decades. We have now identified it and have drafted a National Hydrographic Bill which was submitted to the Cabinet last week. When it becomes an Act of parliament, we are going to obtain the services of the Sri Lanka navy to design these hydrography maps. We see this as a way of expanding our foreign currency revenue in the service sector. This exercise will take two years because of its technical complexity and precise digital integration.”
Earlier news reports indicated that currently the hydrographic maps are sold to merchant ships in Sri Lankan waters by a UK based company.
The minister made these remarks during an interview on Independent Television Network.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
In a major boost to bilateral economic ties, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) and the Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for both institutions to drive collaborative initiatives, including business delegations, high-level conferences, workshops, B2B matchmaking sessions, and technical site visits. Designed to bridge businesses, government institutions, and project stakeholders across the Palk Strait, the partnership aims to unlock new avenues for cross-border joint ventures and technology transfers.
A focal point of this newly minted partnership is the facilitation of an upcoming trade delegation from the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) of India. Comprising major Indian players in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, the visiting delegation will engage in targeted business meetings, workshops, and inspection tours of prominent construction projects in Sri Lanka.
Under the terms of the MoU, CCISL will serve as the principal host coordinator in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with ISCCI, the apex construction body will curate itineraries, identify viable projects for engagement, and facilitate high-level dialogues with key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders.
With both nations prioritizing sustainable urban growth, modern construction technologies, and infrastructure expansion, industry leaders view the partnership as a timely catalyst for economic rejuvenation. The collaboration is anticipated to accelerate market access, knowledge exchange, and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s burgeoning property and development sectors.
To ensure the success of the upcoming NAREDCO delegation, CCISL has issued an urgent appeal to statutory authorities and relevant project owners to come forward with viable investment proposals. Stakeholders holding projects seeking foreign investment or technical partnerships are invited to submit comprehensive details to the Secretary General and CEO of CCISL via email at secyces@gmail.com.
Both chambers emphasize that translating this foundational agreement into tangible partnerships and robust capital flows will significantly strengthen bilateral connectivity between the construction and real estate sectors of India and Sri Lanka.
Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.
The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.
Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.
The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.
GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.
The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.
The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.
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