National Hydrology Act to Unlock Maritime Revenue Potential
January 03, Colombo (LNW): In a session with the Sectoral Overseeing Committee on National Security, Justice, Prisons, and Constitutional Reforms Minister Dr. Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe emphasized the pivotal role of the National Hydrology Act in enabling Sri Lanka to harness revenue from ships traversing its waters in dollars.
Dr. Rajapakshe highlighted that although in existence since 1983, the National Hydrology Act has remained dormant. This legislation grants essential legal authority to develop and maintain Electronic Navigation Charts crucial for maritime navigation.
During the recent meeting chaired by MP Dr. Sarath Weerasekera, officials elucidated that the Act’s primary objective is to register hydrological surveyors and nautical cartographers while establishing the National Hydrographic Office.
A significant revelation came from officials who disclosed that the Royal Navy of England has generated three maps for shipping, encompassing the South Seas, using data partly provided by Sri Lanka. However, officials clarified that Sri Lanka, through this Act, holds the rights to conduct exploration, gather data, and craft maps for the pertinent sea regions. This updated information can also be used to revise existing maps, subsequently enabling the nation to capitalize on maritime routes for generating income.
