GIS UNIT - NWP

03/03/2026

Empowering Agriculture through Digital Precision. 🌾

We are proud to provide the technical expertise and GIS solutions for the North Western Provincial "Digital Water Resource Map." By integrating advanced mapping and real time data updates, we are helping modernize the province's agricultural landscape for a more sustainable future.

🌏 GIS Unit (NWP)

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2026.03.03 පුවත්පත් වාර්තා..දිනමිණ..

03/03/2026

Empowering Agriculture through Digital Precision. 🌾

We are proud to provide the technical expertise and GIS solutions for the North Western Provincial "Digital Water Resource Map." By integrating advanced mapping and real time data updates, we are helping modernize the province's agricultural landscape for a more sustainable future.

🌏 GIS Unit (NWP)

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25/02/2026

🚀 Speeding Up Digital Mapping in the North Western Province!
📅 Date : 2025.02.16 - 2025.02.20
📍 Venue : Wayamba Training Institute, Wariyapola

We just wrapped up an amazing 5 day training session! We brought together GIS officers from local governments across the North Western Province to help speed up our Physical Resources Digitization Project.

During the workshop, everyone got hands on experience to make mapping easier and faster. We tackled problems right on the spot and improved how we enter data. This teamwork is a huge step toward finishing our province's centralized data system so the public can start benefiting from it sooner!

Led by the technical guidance of Mr. M. M. S. Premachandra, Investigation Officer & GIS Project Coordinator, alongside the hardworking team at the GIS UNIT - NWP, this workshop shows our dedication to using smart technology to build a better, faster developing Wayamba. 📈

🌏 GIS Unit (NWP)

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20/01/2026

🌐 Advancing Wayamba with Modern GIS Technology
📅 Date : 2026.01.19 & 20
📍 Venue : Wayamba Training Institute, Wariyapola

A successful 02 day Land Use Mapping Workshop was conducted, gathering GIS officers from local authorities across the North Western Province to enhance the digital mapping capacity.

Throughout the program, participants worked together to update land use datasets, validate field information, and further strengthen the centralized provincial GIS database. This collaborative effort ensured greater data accuracy and promoted uniform standards across all institutions.

Under the guidance of Mr. M. M. S. Premachandra, Investigation Officer and GIS Project Coordinator, along with the dedicated officers of the GIS UNIT - NWP, the workshop showcased how teamwork and advanced geospatial technologies are driving Wayamba toward a smarter, more connected digital future.

🌏 GIS Unit (NWP)

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15/01/2026

🌐 Honouring Professional Growth in Wayamba
📅 Date : 2025.01.14
📍 Venue : North Western Provincial Ministry of Agriculture Auditorium

A special appreciation ceremony was held today to recognize the commitment and academic achievements of officers from the GIS UNIT - NWP.

This event marked the official commencement of the new training cycle, while also celebrating the officers who successfully completed the Geographical Information Technology Diploma Course conducted by the University of Kelaniya. Their dedication to enhancing their professional capacity and applying this knowledge to public service was highly commended.

To encourage continuous learning, the North Western Provincial Chief Secretariat reimbursed the course fees of these officers - Rs. 75,000 per officer (5th Batch) and Rs. 80,000 per officer (6th Batch), totaling Rs. 860,000. This investment reflects the province’s commitment to strengthening its GIS capability through skilled and knowledgeable officers.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of
🔹 Mrs. N. V. Seneviratne, Assistant Chief Secretary
🔹 Mr. M. M. S. Premachandra, Investigation Officer & GIS Project Coordinator
🔹 Mr. Ravindra Wanninayake, Information Technology Officer, Digital Unit
🔹 Officers of the Digital Unit

🎓 Officers Who Completed the Diploma Course

5th Batch
• NWP/GIS002 – E.M.S.K. Ekanayaka
• NWP/GIS003 – H.P.M.H.T. Wimalasiri
• NWP/GIS004 – W.R.T.M. Gunathilaka
• NWP/GIS016 – H.M.C. Sandamali
• NWP/GIS019 – S.A. Ishani

6th Batch
• NWP/GIS006 – A.A.S.O.M. Alahakoon
• NWP/GIS012 – T.U.R.K.H. Samandeera
• NWP/GIS014 – W.A.N.K. Wickramaarachi
• NWP/GIS015 – M.R.S. Banu
• NWP/GIS018 – R.M.N.J. Rathnayake
• NWP/GIS040 – D.M.A.D. Disanayaka
• NWP/GIS042 – M.S.S. Medagedara

Their dedication strengthens the digital future of Wayamba and elevates the standard of GIS-driven governance in the province.

GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

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15/01/2026

🌐 Building a Smarter Wayamba with GIS Technology
📅 Date : 2025.01.12, 13 & 14
📍 Venue : North Western Provincial Ministry of Agriculture Auditorium

A 03 day Land Use Mapping Workshop was successfully held, bringing together GIS officers from local authorities across the North Western Province.

Throughout the sessions, officers collaborated on updating landuse maps, verifying field data, and strengthening the shared provincial GIS database. This teamwork helped improve accuracy and ensure all institutions work with unified and reliable information.

Guided by the leadership of Mr. M. M. S. Premachandra, Investigation Officer and GIS Project Coordinator, and other officers of the GIS UNIT - NWP, the workshop highlighted how collective effort and modern technology are shaping the digital future of Wayamba.

GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

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11/01/2026

🚀 Advancing the Digital Map: Precision Data Collection Continues
📅 Dates: 2025.01.08 & 09
📍 Polpithigama PS Area (404, 405, 408, 409, 410, 411 GNDs)

​The GIS UNIT - NWP kicked off another phase of field level data collection on the 8th and 9th of January, continuing our mission to digitize the Polpithigama PS area. Our team was on the ground to rigorously gather, verify, and update spatial data, ensuring our digital records reflect the true reality of the terrain.

​Focusing on these specific GNDs, the team worked closely with the local community to capture accurate details regarding land use, building structures, and essential infrastructure layers.

​💠 Key Highlights :

​🔹 Comprehensive Data Collection : Systematically gathering new data points to fill gaps in the provincial map.
🔹 Ground Truthing : Verifying digital entries against physical locations for maximum precision.
🔹 Community Collaboration : engaging with residents to validate boundaries and land-use types.

​Accurate data is the backbone of smart decision making. By combining technical expertise with local insights, we are building a robust GIS framework that serves the people effectively.

​🤝 Continued appreciation to residents of these GNDs for their unwavering support and cooperation during the data collection process.

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​GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

​

01/01/2026

Mapping the Path Forward : Happy 2026! 🗺️✨

​As we step into a brand new year, the GIS Unit (NWP) remains committed to precision, innovation, and spatial excellence. In 2025, we laid the groundwork; in 2026, we continue "Navigating to the Digital Future."

​May your new year be filled with clear directions, accurate growth, and endless possibilities. Let’s map out a successful year together!

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GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

​

18/12/2025

🌐 Strengthening Local Governance with GIS : Training Workshop
📅 Date : 2025.12.18
📍 Venue : Ministry of Agriculture Auditorium, NWP

A focused training workshop was successfully conducted to review the progress of the ongoing mapping process and to prepare the centralized data system maintained through the North Western Provincial Geographic Information Technology platform. This program brought together officers from Local Government Institutions attached to the GIS UNIT - NWP of the Chief Secretariat, fostering a shared understanding of data standards and system readiness.

During the workshop, participants engaged in discussions on data preparation, system usage, and institutional coordination, ensuring that mapping outputs are accurate, up to date, and effectively integrated within the provincial GIS framework. The collaborative approach strengthened inter institutional data flow and reinforced the foundation for evidence-based planning and decision making.

In the evening session, Mr. Jayatissa, Legal Advisor of the Asia Foundation, joined the workshop and was briefed on the physical resource digitization process and the digital platform developed for disaster management and post disaster assessment. He highly appreciated the initiative and informed that the necessary support would be provided to further advance this process.

Subsequently, Mr. R.M.D.M. Kularathna (NWP/GIS022), one of our team members, shared his recent field experiences and explained the work steps involved in integrating accurate, factual field data into the centralized database.

The workshop was carried out with the technical support of the officers of the GIS UNIT - NWP, under the leadership of Mr. Sarath Premachandra, and was concluded with valuable comments by Mrs. W.A.N.K. Wickramaarachi (NWP/GIS014). The program once again highlighted the importance of teamwork, technology, and capacity building in driving a digitally empowered North Western Province.

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GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

17/12/2025

🌐 Strengthening Legal Foundations for Provincial GIS & Mapping Initiatives
📅 Date : 2025.12.16
📍 Venue : North Western Provincial Cooperative Ministry Meeting Hall

An Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 16th December 2025 to establish the necessary legal and institutional framework required for map creation and systematic data collection carried out by the GIS UNIT - NWP.

This important discussion focused on ensuring that all GIS mapping, information collection, and digital initiatives are conducted within a clear legal background, supporting transparency, accuracy, and long term sustainability of GIS activities.

💠 Key Highlights :
🔹 Discussion on legal requirements for GIS mapping & data collection
🔹 Strengthening governance mechanisms for provincial GIS operations
🔹 Guidance from senior administrative, survey, academic, and technical experts
🔹 Alignment of GIS activities with provincial regulations and development goals
🔹 Reinforcing the institutional credibility of the North Western Provincial GIS framework

👥 Participants Included :
🔹 Mr. I.M.I. Ilangakoon - Chief Secretary, North Western Province
🔹 Mrs. N.V. Senavirathna - Assistant Chief Secretary, North Western Province
🔹 Mr. Gamini Gunasekara - Retired Officer, Sri Lanka Administrative Service
🔹 Mr. S. Sivanandaraja - Retired Officer, Sri Lanka Survey Service
🔹 Mr. Dinidu Jayalath - Lecturer, University of Peradeniya
🔹 Mr. M.D.R. Wickramasinghe - Development Officer, Department of Local Government - NWP
🔹 Mr. Ravindra Wanninayake - Information Technology Officer, Digital Unit (IT), Chief Secretariat
🔹 Mr. Sarath Premachandra - Investigation Officer, Digital Unit (GIS), Chief Secretariat
🔹 Mrs. Sandamali - GIS Subject Officer, Chief Secretariat
🔹 Other officers of the Digital Unit, Chief Secretariat

This advisory committee marks a vital step toward ensuring that provincial GIS mapping and data collection activities are legally sound, well governed, and future ready, supporting evidence based planning, digital governance, and sustainable development in the North Western Province.

🤝 Policy guidance + Technical expertise = Stronger Provincial GIS Governance

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GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

12/12/2025

🌐 Mapping GNDs for Smarter Local Planning
📅 Dates : 2025.12.11 & 12
📍 Polpithigama PS Area (404, 405, 408, 409, 410, 411 GNDs)

GIS UNIT - NWP continued its field level mapping activities on the 11th and 12th of December by validating real building and land use data directly on the ground. With the support of villagers, the team ensured that every feature collected in the system matches the physical environment accurately.

During these two days, the team successfully confirmed existing datasets, identified corrections, and recorded new disaster related observations.

💠 Key Highlights :

🔹 Mapping buildings & land use using verified real world observations
🔹 Validation of GIS data with direct support from villagers
🔹 Identification of newly affected sites, including landslide prone areas
🔹 Villagers shared critical insights that improved data accuracy
🔹 Strengthened reliability of the GIS disaster database through community engagement

This on ground validation process ensures that the provincial GIS system remains accurate, updated, and community trusted, supporting future disaster response, planning, and sustainable development.

🤝 A special appreciation to Mr. Bathiya Walimuni Siriwardane, Community Development Officer, Polpithigama Pradeshiya Sabha and the supportive villagers who provided valuable guidance and real time local knowledge.

Government officers + Community support = Stronger, Smarter Governance.

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GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏

10/12/2025

🌐 Mapping GNDs for Smarter Local Planning
📅 Dates : 2025.12.08, 09, 10 (Continuing on 11 & 12)
📍 Polpithigama PS Area (404,405, 408,409,410,411 GND s)

GIS UNIT - NWP continued its on ground mapping activities by surveying multiple GND areas affected by Cyclone Ditwa. The team carried out detailed field visits with the support of local villagers to gather highly reliable, location based data on buildings, land use, and disaster impact.

Our work identified several newly damaged locations caused by landslides areas that had not yet been documented by authorities. This highlights the importance of close collaboration with the community during disaster assessments.

💠 Key Highlights :

🔹 Field mapping of GNDs with precise building & land use data
🔹 Located undeclared damaged sites through village support
🔹 Identified multiple landslide affected zones
🔹 Villagers provided firsthand information essential for accurate mapping
🔹 Reinforced the importance of community driven data collection

This effort strengthens the long term goal of building a reliable, updated, and community supported GIS database for disaster response, planning, and sustainable development.

🤝 A big thank you to the Mr. Bathiya Walimuni Siriwardane, Community Development Officer, Polpithigama Pradeshiya Sabha and residents who guided the teams and shared vital information.

Government officers and villagers working together = stronger, smarter governance.

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GIS Unit (NWP) 🌏