Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom Strengthen Hydrographic
Collaboration with Landmark Bilateral Arrangement
February 14, 2025
Marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards enhancing its hydrographic capabilities, the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) have signed a landmark Bilateral Arrangement. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Feb 14) and is aimed at fostering cooperation in hydrography, including knowledge exchange, capacity building, technical collaboration and revenue generation through the sale of Sri Lanka’s hydrographic products to the international market.
The Arrangement was signed by Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh of the UKHO and Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya of the SLNHO on behalf of their respective governments. The signing ceremony was graced by the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and Rear Admiral (Retd) Sisira Jayakody, Chairman of the National Hydrographic Council, alongside distinguished officials from the UK government, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SLNHO.
During his visit to Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral Essenhigh met with Defence Secretary AVM Thuyacontha (Retd) and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda to discuss opportunities for strengthening strategic hydrographic cooperation and bilateral engagements between the two nations.
This Bilateral Arrangement reflects the enduring support extended by the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka in the field of hydrography. Presently, approximately 75% of the world’s international charts and electronic navigational charts (ENCs) are marketed through the UKHO, a legacy of its exceptional reputation established during the colonial era. As the SLNHO currently lacks the infrastructure, facilities and international reputation to independently market its hydrographic products globally, the UKHO was identified as the ideal partner to initiate this arrangement.
Under the new framework, the SLNHO anticipates significant revenue generation through the sale of ENCs and other hydrographic products via the UKHO’s extensive global network, a marked improvement compared to the historical submission of raw data to the UKHO. Additionally, the agreement paves the way for Sri Lanka to assume the role of Primary Charting Authority in the future, a position currently held by the UKHO.
This collaboration is a major step forward for Sri Lanka as it positions itself as an active and progressive partner in international chart production, an aspiration that has long been a necessity for this island nation. The Ministry of Defence and the SLNHO express their commitment to leveraging this partnership to advance hydrographic capabilities, ensuring Sri Lanka’s maritime safety and sustainable marine resource management while contributing to global hydrographic initiatives.
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