Rs. 10.56 m Drone scandal at Arthur C Clarke Institute exposed
The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) in Sri Lanka is embroiled in alleged negligence by failing to make use of un- manned aircraft valued at Rs 10.56 million although it was purchased in 2016.
The purpose of buying this drone was to take photographs for archaeological exploration and excavation work on behalf of the Department of Archaeology
Although the necessary training and permission to fly had been obtained for that the amount spent, it has become an idle expenditure, as it has remained unused for almost six years since the date of purchase, national audit office unearthed. Another sum of Rs.110,320 had also spent to operate this unmanned aircraft, it added.
It could have been used as a substitute for satellite imagery of development projects in various fields subject to the Ministry of Defence’s approval of a maximum flight height of 150 metres. Limiting the maximum flying height to 60 metres hindered its use for the intended purpose, the National Audit Office revealed.
Additionally, when the new legislation allowing a flight height of 122 metres was introduced in 2022, the flight planning system could not be used for its intended purpose due to an error detected in the related software, it observed.
The ACCIMT utilises space technology and applications, including remote sensing and GIS, to support various projects.
While the institute has an interest in common technological uses, it indirectly supports the mapping of archaeological sites by virtue of its geospatial data analysis and satellite imagery technology. There is no specific programme for the mapping of archaeological sites in the institute, but it can be applied for the same with existing technologies.
It is fitted with remote sensing and GIS technologies. These technologies are used for a number of applications, including land use mapping, crop monitoring, and even feasibility studies such as early detection of tea blight.
The institute’s GIS and remote sensing abilities can be used in mapping archaeological sites. Satellite images and aerial photography may be used to identify possible locations, analyse terrain features, and track changes over time, which would be beneficial for archaeologists.
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