National Spatial Data Infrastructure platform launched by ICTA
View(s):The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) platform which facilitates the public to access geospatial data was launched by the Information & Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) last month at Trace Expert City, Colombo. Accordingly, geographical information on a particular location could be obtained via this platform that comes with a website, a metadata catalogue and a geo-portal for accessing data.
Launching of the NSDI website
A brief introduction on the platform could be obtained from the website while background details on geospatial data could be obtained from the metadata catalogue.
“The platform will enable data sharing, avoid duplication in data collection, increase efficiency and collaboration among organisations” ICTA Chairman, Professor Rohan Samarajeewa said at the launch.
The ceremony was attended by senior government individuals and professionals of several industries. General Surveyor, NSDI, P M P Udayakantha cited crowd sourcing as an essential factor in successfully establishing the NSDI platform.
Wasantha Deshapriya, one of the pioneers of initiating the project, was the Chief Guest at the launch. He said the platform, a public-funded one, could be used for the benefit of all citizens for sharing data among organisations. The platform was created as a collaborative effort of several government bodies such as the Survey Department of Sri Lanka, Forest Department, Agriculture Department and many other departments associated with providing geospatial data, and facilitated by the ICTA.
The platform can be accessed at https://nsdi.gov.lk