NARA express concerns over proposed National Hydrographic Bill

Officials attached to the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) expressed concerns that some of the functions carried out by their Agency will be drifted away by the new Bill, according to a statement issued by Parliament Overisght Committee. 

The NARA officials expressed their opinions when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security convened recently to discuss the bill which gives the necessary legal authority to create and Electronic Navigation Charts so that Sri Lanka can earn an annual dollar income from ships sailing near the Sri Lankan waters.

Justice Ministr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who was present at the Committee meeting held stated that since 1983, the right to receive dollars from ships traveling through Sri Lankan waters has not been used.

Accordingly, the Minister of Justice further commented that Sri Lanka will get the necessary legal power through the passing of this Bill. Furthermore, through the establishment of the National Hydrographic Office, the officials stated
that the purpose of this Act is to register hydrographic surveyors and nautical cartographers and to make provisions for related matters.

The Navy stated that the Royal Navy of England has created 3 maps covering the South Seas. Accordingly, the officials further commented that only data has been provided from Sri Lanka for the creation of the maps. However, the Navy officials informed the Committee that the Sri Lankan government has the right to explore and obtain data and create maps for the relevant sea areas through this Act. Based on this updated data, related maps can also be updated and dollars can be generated, the officials further said.

The Committee Chair Sarath Weerasekara pointed out that this Bill is currently scheduled to be debated in the Parliament and pointed out that during the Committee stage, the NARA institution will be given the opportunity to add amendments to it through the relevant Minister.