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Govt. sets up National Hydrographic Office, clears the way for further developments in the field

Published

2 years ago

2023/12/16

From left: Navy Commander VA Priyantha Perera, Commodore Kosala Warnakulasooriya, State Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon and Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne at the event (pictures courtesy Navy)

Navy Headquarters on Thursday (14) announced the establishment of the National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) at the Welisara Naval Complex, under the patronage of State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Dec 13, 2022 directed Secretary of Defence Gen. (retd.) Kamal Gunaratne to take immediate measures to establish a National Hydrographic Office, consisting of qualified hydrographic surveyors.

The setting up of the new office took place amidst the ongoing dispute between the government and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) over the proposed role of the Navy in the overall process. On behalf of NARA, its Scientists Association recently moved Supreme Court against the National Hydrographic Bill presented by Justice Minister D. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC.

The SC court has sent its determination to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. According to Minister Rajapakse, the bone of contention between the Navy and NARA is as to who should be responsible for the preparing of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC)/hydrographic maps to be sold to foreign vessels passing through Sri Lankan waters.

Navy Headquarters said that the opening of SLNHO would pave the way for charting of a new course towards maritime security and economic prosperity.

The milestone event was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva.

Chief Hydrographer of the Navy, Commodore Kosala Warnakulasooriya addressing the gathering.

According to the Navy since the colonial era, the hydrographic service here has been controlled by the Navy and this leadership role has persisted even after the country gained independence. The first recorded survey by the Royal Ceylon Navy was done in 1962 when the Navy under took hydrographic surveys for the Pulmoddai Mineral Sand Corporation.

As of 1970, the Sri Lanka Navy successfully charted previously unexplored regions of the island waters. As a result, the Navy accomplished the comprehensive surveying of the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary by 1976. However, by 1983, the naval hydrographic involvement came to a halt due to the conflict situation in the country.

As a member country of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), Sri Lanka is obliged to regularly adopt and enforce the charters accepted by those organizations regarding the safety of navigation and related activities. Accordingly, the fourth and ninth regulations of Chapter V of international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) have covered hydrographic survey activities and related services.

In its role as a maritime hub, Sri Lanka is expected to ensure safe navigation within its waters by establishing facilities and conducting thorough hydrographic surveys. Additionally, the country should be responsible for the production and distribution of accurate nautical charts.

The basic criteria for the production and distribution of these nautical charts have been published by IMO and IHO according to the international standards and all member countries must maintain their hydrographic services in accordance with them. For nearly four decades, Sri Lanka has lacked sufficient intervention in addressing this matter

It is in this backdrop, the newly established office will be tasked with effectively overseeing hydrographic surveyors and hydrographic surveying operations. It also aims to generate revenue from the maritime sector through direct activities, including the production and sale of nautical charts and to swiftly provide highly reliable navigational charts to the market. This initiative promises both direct economic advantages and indirect gains for the nation. Historically, despite an annual passage of around 35,000 ships through Sri Lanka’s sea routes, the country has remained untapped in terms of potential revenue.

However, by supplying essential navigational charts to these vessels, Sri Lanka now has the opportunity to generate substantial income. Thus, the National Hydrographic Office has taken on the crucial task of replacing outdated maps, which are currently provided by foreign countries. Accordingly, the main objective of the new office is to refresh the existing data with up-to-date information and produce charts that reflect current data.

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Related Topics:IHO Navy Headquarters Pulmoddai Mineral Sand Corporation

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“We will not make decisions for rural level schools while sitting in Colombo” – PM

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that aligning with the development activities carried out under the new education reforms, decisions at the rural level will not be taken from Colombo and plans should be sent based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees. She further noted that all officials, from the Ministry of Education down to the school level, must commit to working efficiently and with a human-centered approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Hambantota District on Thursday [February 12] at the auditorium of the Hambantota District Secretariat regarding the new education reforms and prevailing issues in the education sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister provided an opportunity for education authorities including chief prelates of pirivenas, zonal education directors, teacher advisors, and principals to present the challenges they face and officials raised concerns including salary disparities among principals, developing school infrastructure, issues arising from the division between national and provincial schools, and uplifting pirivena education.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister stated:

“The new education reforms were initiated from 2025 through dialogue, consultations, and the collection of necessary data. As officials, you have extended your support to us during this process. We have embarked on a difficult and long journey, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

We initiated these reforms in response to a strong social demand. Many have attempted such reforms at different times. Within our political vision, we understood clearly that if this country is to be rebuilt, an educational transformation is essential. The human resource is the most valuable resource of this country and it should be nurtured properly.

Solutions to many of the crises our country faces lie within the education system. Addressing the issues in economic challenges, social issues, drug abuse, violence, the breakdown of political culture, corruption, waste, and even the deterioration of human relationships all lie within the education.

In order to achieve the transformation we envision as a government, that an education transformation is necessary.

This education system should focus on reducing the pressures within the system, minimize school dropouts, increase employability, and instill confidence in children about their future.

There are disparities within the school system, between rural and urban schools, national and provincial schools, and difficult schools. This should not happen. All children must have equal opportunities.
⁣
Decisions regarding the establishment of schools or expansion of classes should not be political decisions. They must be decisions taken through Structural Committees. Those representatives understand their divisions, village economies, and population dynamics. Based on your decisions and assessments of needs, prepare the plans, discuss them with the District Coordination Committees, and submit them to us. We will then take steps to provide the necessary allocations and other support. We will not make decisions for the rural level while sitting in Colombo.

We are taking steps to minimize salary disparities. A Cabinet paper regarding the salary anomalies of principals has already been prepared for submission. Steps are also being taken to introduce new reforms in pirivena education through the Pirivena Committee of the Ministry of Education. We require the support of the chief prelates in this regard.

A significant number of teachers turn to human rights due to delays caused by inefficiency. Therefore, all officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools must commit to working efficiently and in a humane manner”

The discussion was attended by Chief prelates of pirivenas, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, zonal directors, principals, and other education sector officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya valid from 06:00 hrs on 13.02.2026 to 06:00 hrs on 14.02.2026

Accordingly,
Level II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya district.

Level I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathahewheta in the Kandy district.