WORLD HYDROGRAPHIC DAY CELEBRATION – 2025

Sri Lanka joined the global community in celebrating World Hydrographic Day 2025 on 24th June 2025 at a prestigious ceremony held at the Wave n’ Lake Navy Hall, Welisara. The event was celebrated under this year’s theme announced by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) — “Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action” — emphasizing the importance of hydrography in supporting sustainable ocean governance and maritime safety.

The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), who delivered the address highlighting the significance of hydrography in ocean affairs especially in the national resilience, maritime security, and safe navigation. He further expresses the advancement of hydrography in Sri Lanka with establishment of National Hydrographic office in 2023.  

The event's keynote address was delivered by Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, Chairman, Port Authority and former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. During his speech he 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.

During welcome speech, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya, National Hydrographer and Chief Hydrographer of Sri Lanka Navy highlighted the achievements and ongoing developments of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) since its inception in 2023. This year’s theme of the World Hydrographic Day 2025 was elaborated by Lieutenant Commander (H) Sithara Hettiarachchi to the audience. The forum was addressed by several resource personnel in relevant topics.

Chairman of the National Hydrographic Council - Rear Admiral Sisira Jayakody (Retd), Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University - Dr. Vicki Ferrini, Mrs. Gerardine Delanoye- Representative of IALA, Prof. Manisha Pasqual from Faculty of Art University of Colombo, and former the Chief Hydrographer of the Sri Lanka Navy and Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral YN Jayarathne (Retd) also delivered speeches relevant to the discipline of Hydrography and it’s associated fields.

The ceremony was attended by an array of distinguished higher level audience representing the Chairman & Members of the National Hydrographic Council (NHC), Members of Diplomatic Core from friendly nations based in Colombo, Academic staff and students from the Universities of Colombo, Ruhuna and Sabaragamuwa, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), the Ocean University, CINEC Maritime Academy, representative from stakeholder organizations, industry and hydrographers.

World Hydrographic Day, celebrated globally on June 21st but marked locally on June 24th this year, honours the establishment of the IHO in 1921 and aims to raise awareness of the work of hydrographers and the value of hydrographic data in improving maritime safety, efficiency, and sustainability through robust hydrographic practices.

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