The Surveyors’ Institute of Sri Lanka (SISL), the national professional body representing the surveying profession and geospatial community, will celebrate its centennial anniversary on 2 August 2026, marking 100 years of service and contribution to surveying, mapping, land administration, professional standards, and national development. SISL has organised a technical session, a celebratory gala dinner and an awards ceremony in honour of this significant milestone at the Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo.
Since its establishment in 1926 as the Licensed Surveyors’ Association of Ceylon and incorporation by Act of Parliament in 1982, SISL has played a significant role in strengthening the surveying profession, geospatial practice, and land administration framework. Its contributions include supporting professional education, advocating for key land-related legislation, promoting the adoption of modern surveying and geospatial technologies, and strengthening professional standards and ethical practice. SISL is a founding member of the Organisation of Professional Associations, Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE), and a member of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG).
“We are delighted to celebrate SISL’s centennial anniversary and reflect on an eventful journey of contribution to Sri Lanka’s national development. As we look ahead, we will continue to contribute our knowledge and professional expertise by adopting more efficient processes and modern technologies, including digitalisation, to support Sri Lanka’s transformation objectives and improve land administration,” said Surveyor Shantha Priya Perera, President, Surveyors’ Institute of Sri Lanka.
“We have organised a fitting and memorable event to celebrate the achievements and contributions made by SISL and our professional community to the national development agenda over the past century. The technical sessions will be delivered by key members of the Institute on timely topics,” said Surveyor T. L. Sujeewa, Chair of the Organising Committee, Centenary Celebrations, Surveyors’ Institute of Sri Lanka.
Over the past century, SISL has contributed to several important milestones in the development of the surveying, mapping, and land governance landscape, including hosting the 1974 CASLE Summit, supporting the establishment of the National Hydrographic Office, promoting the UGC-approved degree in Surveying Sciences at Diyatalawa, and advocating for the Registration of Title Act No. 21 of 1998 to help reduce land-related disputes, which provided the legislative foundation for the “Bimsaviya” land titling programme. SISL also supported the enactment of Survey Act No. 17 of 2002, which modernised the legal framework by replacing outdated ordinances and establishing a Survey Board.
The Institute remains committed to strengthening its contribution to Sri Lanka’s future development by championing digital land administration, geospatial innovation, sustainable infrastructure planning, climate resilience, and professional capacity building while continuing to support accurate, transparent, and efficient land information systems that serve the needs of citizens, institutions, and national development priorities.
Caption: Surveyor Shantha Priya Perera, President of SISL, and Surveyor T.L. Sujeewa, Chair of the organising committee
