News
Govt. sets up National Hydrographic Office, clears the way for further developments in the field
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.
The 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Colombo Plan was held on Friday 03 July at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Delivering the keynote address, the Prime Minister stated that the Colombo Plan was established 75 years ago at a time when many Asian nations were embarking on the path to independence while confronting challenges of post-war reconstruction and economic development.
She noted that it is a matter of great pride for Sri Lanka that the organization bears the name “Colombo” and that the country continues to serve as its host.
The Prime Minister further noted that, as Sri Lanka pursues digital transformation, sustainable transport systems, and resilient supply chains, the Colombo Plan’s early investments in the country’s energy, agriculture, irrigation, and transport sectors continue to form an important part of the nation’s development foundation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the significant contribution of the Colombo Plan’s Drug Advisory Programme in addressing the global drug menace, which has a profound impact on youth, public health, and social stability. The Prime Minister emphasized that, under the leadership of the President, the Government of Sri Lanka has accorded high priority to combating the drug menace and expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by the Colombo Plan towards these efforts.
The Prime Minister further stated that today’s world is far more complex than it was in 1951, with rapid technological transformation, climate challenges, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. In this context, the Prime Minister stressed that regional organizations such as the Colombo Plan must continue to evolve, becoming more adaptive and responsive to contemporary challenges. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in education and human capital development, while fostering greater awareness among younger generations of the value of international cooperation.
During the ceremony, a special tribute was paid to Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes in recognition of his distinguished service as Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan over the past four years. The newly appointed Secretary-General, Chulamee Chartsuwan, was also welcomed.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary, a special commemorative postage stamp and the publication titled “Colombo Plan 75 Years – 75 Stories” were officially launched.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and Chairperson of the Colombo Plan Council Trinh Thi Tam, along with many distinguished guests.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
Dengue hyper-epidemic not yet under control, PHI Union warns
The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union of Sri Lanka on Friday said the country’s dengue hyper-epidemic situation has still not been brought under control, warning of a fresh rise in cases amid changing weather conditions.
Acting President of the PHI Union Upul Rohana said that although the situation has shown some improvement in areas where outbreaks were first reported, new clusters of infection are now emerging in other parts of the country.
He urged the public to maintain, and not reduce, current dengue prevention activities under any circumstances.
Rohana noted that light showers had begun in several areas under prevailing weather conditions, increasing the risk of mosquito breeding as vector density is already high.
He also identified unoccupied properties as a major challenge in dengue control, pointing out that houses belonging to persons working abroad, as well as newly purchased but uninhabited properties in urban areas, were contributing significantly to mosquito breeding sites.
Meanwhile, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said on Friday that dengue cases reported so far this year have exceeded 57,000, with 57,668 infections and 35 deaths recorded countrywide.
The NDCU said 1,253 new cases were reported within the past 24 hours alone.District-wise, Colombo has recorded 11,811 cases so far this year, while Gampaha has reported 11,443 cases, making them the two most affected districts.
The Court of Appeal on Friday dismissed a revision application filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa in connection with the money laundering case popularly known as the “Menik Malla” case.
The application challenged a ruling of the Colombo High Court, which had earlier rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defence during trial proceedings.
The judgment was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Amal Ranaraja and Sumudu Premachandra.
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