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.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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