ESRI’s defence experts in Sri Lanka for GeoConf – 2014

Monday, 23 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Defence GIS Experts Brett Dixon (Business Manager, Esri-Asia Pacific Region) and Craig Pitman (Technical Advisor, Esri – Asia Pacific) visited Sri Lanka to participate and deliver plenary presentations on ‘GIS in Support of National Security: A Global perspective’ at GeoConf – 2014 (National Conference on Geo-informatics Technology) organised by The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. The conference was held at Waters Edge. ‘Esri’ acronym for Environment Systems Research Institute – Redlands, California USA, the developer of the most commonly used GIS software platform in Sri Lanka ‘ArcGIS’ was the Platinum sponsor. In his presentation Brett Dixon discussed how many nations around the world leverage the power of Geographical Information Technology Systems (GIS) in all aspects of the National security mission, from defence operations, border security, critical infrastructure protection, public safety and economic security. Governments apply geospatial technologies to enhance intelligence and key operational activities, and the latest trends development in applying GIS to national security. He took examples from many case studies including experiences from his own career in the Australian Army.

He emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and collaboration and how it can be easily achieved using GIS technology across multiple personnel, departments and national security agencies. Esri’s Expert Defence Technical Advisor Craig Pitman’s presentation was on ‘The Application of GIS in Support of Border Security’. He discussed how GIS technology is applied in a nation’s Border Security operations and how multiple sources of intelligence can be fused, analysed and disseminated to provide critical inputs to mission planning and overall situational awareness. Local Esri Distrbutor GIS Solutions Ltd., CEO Ashani Jayasinghe delivered a presentation on GEOINT: ‘Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield’ (more commonly known as the ‘IPB’ process in Defence, which traditionally is carried out using paper maps to plan out the defence operation strategy). This presentation explored the application of GIS technology in Joint Mission Planning, in particular the IPB process. It showcased how GIS technology can provide a deeper level of analysis and support to enable stronger and faster decision making by rapid dissemination of information from the battlefield or ‘operation areas’ to and fro to defence agency Head Quarters staff. The event further showcased many presentations on current projects implemented in Sri Lanka by CRD and others using Geographical Information Systems and harness insight and knowledge gathered by the professionals engaged in various facets of the technology such as Defence, Urban Development, Disaster Management, Public Service Enhancement, Satellite Based Tracking (GPS), Surveying and Mapping, Hydrology, Land and Agriculture under the theme of ‘Defence Geospatial Potential for Safety and National Growth’. Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasooriya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and at the outset welcome address was delivered by the Director General, Centre for Research and Development of the Ministry of Defence Major General Prasad Samarasinghe and the Keynote speech was delivered by the Chairperson of the UNESCO Management Centre of the University of Moratuwa Professor NTS Wijesekara. Additional Secretary (Technical) Rohan Seneviarthne, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera and a large gathering of distinguished guests were also present at the event.