Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action takes center stage as Navy observes World Hydrography Day

The Sri Lanka Navy in partnership with the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office marked World Hydrography Day (21 Jun) with a special ceremony held at Wave n’ Lake Welisara on 24 Jun 25. At the invitation of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and National Hydrographer of Sri Lanka cum Chief Hydrographer of Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya, the event was dignified by the presence of the Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), as the Chief Guest.

On 21 Jun every year, the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) celebrates the World Hydrography Day to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a vital role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans. Since its celebration for the first time in 2006, World Hydrography Day has been celebrated annually, each year highlighting different themes. Continuing the tradition, this year’s celebration centred on the theme “Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action.”

During the welcome speech, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya highlighted the achievements and ongoing developments of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) since its inception in 2023. In his address to the august gathering, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) highlighted the significance of hydrography in ocean affairs especially in the national resilience, maritime security and safe navigation. He further expressed the advancement of hydrography in Sri Lanka in recent times.

The Chairman Ports Authority, Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe (Retd) in his address emphasized on the importance of hydrography in ports development, maritime spatial planning and effects of digital transformation where hydrography act as a bridge between economic development and environmental stewardship.

The Chairman of the National Hydrographic Council Rear Admiral Sisira Jayakody (Retd), Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University Dr. Vicki Ferrini, representative of IALA World – Wide Academy Mrs. Gerardine Delanoye, Prof. Manisha Pasqual from Faculty of Art University of Colombo and Rear Admiral YN Jayarathne (Retd) also addressed the gathering, sharing insights on hydrography and related disciplines.

The ceremony was attended by diplomatic corps, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command, officials from the Ports Authority, think tanks and stakeholders from the maritime fraternity, academia and participants from universities and a group of distinguished guests.