Developments in GIS essential to take country forward

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

It is high time for Sri Lanka to equip with the appropriate technologies such as GIS, to achieve regional hub status in knowledge, IT, energy, port and aviation, and commercial sectors, as all of them will enhance capacities and horizons in application of the GIS (geographic information Systems) in making the country the “Miracle of Asia,” Prof Krishan Deheragoda said at the inauguration of first ever GIS Workshop, organized by the Graduate Studies Faculty of Sri Jayewardenepura University, in collaboration with the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) USA.

He was speaking on ‘ Developments in GIS - Technology and applications and the ESRI user meeting in Sri Lanka”.

Prof Deheragoda said the analysis of the recent post graduate research works reveals that an increasing number of Sri Lankan graduate students have used GIS to widen their understanding of natural systems and human society from anthropology to zoology; to address poverty, regional and urban development; disaster management, conflict resolution, wildlife conservation, inventorying vegetation and changes.

Elaborating on GIS systems he said the GIS means computer software and hardware systems that enable users to capture, store, analyse and manage spatially referenced data. This technology enables to understand and interpret all most all environmental, social and economic research questions from a geographical or rather spatial perspective. Hence, GIS is applicable to any discipline, any sector of the economy, public life and governance.

He said when looking at the Sri Lanka’s government sector potential for GIS, it is encouraging to note that some agencies use GIS technology to establish and regulate policy, and to strengthen the welfare of the citizens. However, much more has to be done, he said.

Apart from the universities, a number of government agencies such as UDA, are widely using this technology in their day to day decision making processes. He said the biggest challenge today is implementation of “Triple R” approach that is rehabilitation, reconstruction and reintegration of the war-torn structures of the country, particularly in the North and the East, with a focus on nation building. Many agencies that are engaged in implementation of “Triple R”, do not have the necessary geographically referenced data for planning and implementation, to date. The researchers are widely using GIS to model the real world, classify and observe phenomena, and predict changes over time.

Most critical issues such as marketing of agricultural produce of the poor farmers; implementation of poverty alleviation projects; monitoring of the mega Projects like: Maga Neguma, Gemi Diriya, Gama Neguma, Re-awakening of the Eastern Province, Uthuru Wasantaya Programme etc., will be more productive, better targeted, efficient, cost effective, and easily monitored and managed with the application of GIS, If the authorities are ready to utilize them, more efficiently and purposefully.

The key objective of this workshop was to update the GIS user community of Sri Lanka on technology trends and innovations as well as innovative applications and uses of the technology. Higher Education Minister SB Dissanayake was the chief guest at the event.