As enacted

Contents

National Hydrographic Act 2024 · As enacted · Part I · Establishment of the National Hydrographic Office

4. Powers, duties and functions of the Office

Official English translation. The Sinhala text prevails. Open the official Sinhala text, official PDF on documents.gov.lk

The powers, duties and functions of the Office shall be –

(a)

to collect, preserve, regulate and compile marine geospatial data for the purpose of preparation, distribution, sale and updating of all types of navigational charts, publications and hygrographic services;

(b)

to publish all types of navigational charts required for the safe navigation in the maritime zones of Sri Lanka;

(c)

to carry out hydrographic surveying of maritime zones of Sri Lanka;

(d)

to keep all maritime data which may have an impact on confidentiality and safety of national and regional security:

Provided that, the Office shall obtain the concurrence of the Secretary to the

Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Defence before publishing or disseminating any such data which may in its opinion have a bearing on the national security;

(e)

to ensure the safety of international shipping –

(i)

to carry out adequate surveying in accordance with international hydro-graphic standards and specifications adopted by Sri Lanka;

(ii)

to publish such specifications by way of notifications published in the

Gazette;

(iii)

to prepare and issue nautical charts and nautical publications which include routes, lighthouses, obelisks, identification of all types of buoys and beacons and all information of tidal data in accordance with accepted international standards;

(iv)

to prepare and issue notices to mariners containing information on maritime accidents and to assist in the rescue of any person who has encountered with such accident; and

(v)

to issue instructions regarding the updated printed and electronic nautical charts and publications;

(f)

to maintain nautical charts and publi-cations in accordance with international conventions and standards;

(g)

to provide accurate and reliable hydrographic and navigational information related to the maritime zones of Sri Lanka;

(h)

to conduct training on hydrographic surveying and nautical cartography in accordance with international conventions and standards;

(i)

to monitor, record and prepare reports on tides in the coastal zone and to publish the same in order to ensure safety and other navigational requirements in the maritime zones of Sri Lanka;

(j)

to collect, regulate, issue, preserve and maintain all hydrographic survey data, marine data and hydrospatial data as may be prescribed;

(k)

to provide necessary assistance subject to the relevant written laws to any agency, institution or organization engaged in following activities: -

(i)

coastal management and development;

(ii)

conducting feasibility studies and assessments, dredging operations, maintenance and development of port facilities;

(iii)

coastal erosion monitoring and controlling;

(iv)

land reclamation from sea and the establishment of disposal sites at sea for industrial wastes and the monitoring of the same;

(v)

conducting research and develop aquatic resources;

(vi)

implementing any project in cargo and passenger transport in coastal waters;

(vii)

i m p l e m e n t ing infrastructure construction, development and any other project in coastal waters;

(viii)

promoting tourism and recreational activities in coastal zones; or

(ix)

engaging in marine pollution prevention and disaster management;

(l)

to assist and provide advice in respect of maritime boundary demarcation in the waters of Sri Lanka;

(m)

to provide necessary consultancy and other assistance for the development activities including laying of pipelines, undersea cable systems and establishment of mineral extraction wells and to preserve data and information regarding such activities;

(n)

to coordinate with other educational institutions engaged in the hydrographic and marine geospatial information in the waters of Sri Lanka to maintain prescribed educational standards;

(o)

to coordinate with other institutions within or outside Sri Lanka to maintain high professional standards in hydrography;

(p)

to conduct higher educational training related to hydrographic surveying and nautical cartography and to obtain necessary technical and professional training with the assistance of foreign institutions having expertise in the relevant fields;

(q)

to assist relevant authorities to enhance safety in navigation in the waters of

Sri Lanka and to provide necessary assistance to those authorities to manage economic activities in the waters of Sri

Lanka;

(r)

to receive grants, gifts or donations in cash or kind:

Provided however, the Office shall obtain the prior written approval of the

Department of External Resources of the

Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Finance, in respect of all foreign grants, gifts or donations made to the

Office;

(s)

to open, maintain and operate any account with any bank as it may think appropriate;

(t)

to manage, control, administer and operate the Fund of the Office;

(u)

to invest such amount of money belonging to the Office as is not immediately required for the purposes of this Act;

(v)

to purchase, hold, take or give on lease or hire, mortgage, pledge, sell or otherwise dispose of any movable or immovable property;

(w)

to enter into and perform either directly or indirectly through any authorized officer or agent of the Office, all such contracts or agreements as may be necessary, for the exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions;

(x)

to make rules in respect of the administration of the affairs of the Office;

(y)

to levy fees or charges for any service rendered by the Office;

(z)

to appoint, employ, remunerate, exercise disciplinary control or dismiss such officers, employees and agents as may be necessary for the carrying out of the objects of the Office;

(aa)

to provide training to officers and employees of the Office within or outside

Sri Lanka;

(bb)

to appoint committees for the effective discharge of its functions; and

(cc)

to do all such other acts and things which may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of this Act.

Part II

Administration and Management of the Affairs of the Office

Read on from Part II

Part III

National Hydrograper and the Staff of the Office

Read on from Part III

Part IV

Registration as Hydrographic Surveyors or Nautical Cartographers

Read on from Part IV

Part V

Appeals

Read on from Part V

Part VI

Part vi

Read on from Part VI

Part VII

General

Read on from Part VII