“You Cannot Manage What You Do Not Measure”: Sri Lanka Marks
World Hydrography Day 2025
June 25, 2025
Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), graced the World Hydrography Day 2025 celebrations as the Chief Guest at the Wave’n Lake Navy Banquet Hall in Welisara on 24 June. The event, held under the theme “Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action”, brought together distinguished dignitaries, foreign delegates, senior naval officers, academics, students and stakeholders from the hydrographic community.
Established by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the World Hydrography Day highlights the vital role hydrographic data plays in maritime safety, environmental protection and sustainable development of the marine environment.
Addressing the distinguished gathering, Major General Jayasekara (Retd) emphasized the pivotal role of hydrography in national development, maritime security and sustainable ocean governance. “You cannot manage what you do not measure.” He underlined the indispensable value of seabed mapping in shaping effective ocean action.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s strategic maritime posture, the Deputy Minister celebrated the landmark establishment of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) in December 2023. Operating under the Ministry of Defence in close partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy, the SLNHO has since served as the national authority for hydrographic surveys, charting and international cooperation.
“Hydrography is more than a science, it is a service to the nation,” he stated, noting that Sri Lanka’s aspirations for a blue economy and maritime resilience rest on a foundation of precise and timely hydrographic data.
The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its hydrographic capacity through technological upgrades, personnel training and active engagement with global platforms such as the IHO and the North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission (NIOHC).
The event concluded with a call to action for cross-sector collaboration, bringing together defence agencies, academic institutions, coastal communities and international partners to promote safe navigation, environmental protection and sovereign maritime governance.
The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, former Commander of the Navy Admiral Tissara Samarasinghe (Retd), the Chairman Sri Lanka Ports Authority, former Commander of the Navy and former Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Admiral Sirimewan Ransinghe (Retd), the Dean of International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) World Wide Academy Vice Admiral Vincent Denamur (Retd), Flag Rank officers, Representatives from the SLNHO, academic experts, foreign delegates and the members of the diplomatic corps were also present at the occasion.
