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.