By: Staff Writer
May 05, Colombo (LNW): The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) in Sri Lanka has come under scrutiny following revelations by the National Audit Office regarding a case of official negligence involving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, worth Rs. 10.56 million. The drone, purchased in 2016 for archaeological exploration and excavation purposes on behalf of the Department of Archaeology, has remained unused for nearly six years.
According to the audit findings, despite obtaining the necessary training and flight permissions, the drone was never put into service. An additional Rs. 110,320 was also spent on operating-related expenses, which too have gone to waste due to the drone’s prolonged idleness.
The drone was expected to serve as a practical alternative to satellite imagery in development projects across several fields. However, the Ministry of Defence’s initial restriction of the drone’s maximum flight height to 60 meters (200 feet) significantly limited its utility. Although later regulations introduced in 2022 allowed drone operations up to 400 feet, ACCIMT was still unable to deploy the drone due to a software error in its flight planning system, further compounding the waste of public funds.
ACCIMT is known for utilizing advanced space technology and applications such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in various projects. These tools are used for land use mapping, crop monitoring, and studies such as early detection of tea blight.
Though the institute does not run a specific program for archaeological mapping, its capabilities in geospatial data analysis and satellite imagery are relevant to such efforts. With the appropriate application, these technologies could assist in identifying potential archaeological sites, analyzing terrain, and tracking landscape changes over time—functions highly valuable to archaeologists.
The audit findings point to a lack of strategic planning and follow-through on the part of ACCIMT, raising concerns over the mismanagement of advanced technological resources and public funds. The drone, equipped with remote sensing and GIS capabilities, could have been a valuable asset not only in archaeology but in various national development initiatives.
This case highlights the importance of operational readiness, regulatory coordination, and software reliability in deploying technology for public benefit. The underutilization of the UAV, despite its significant cost and potential, stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of bureaucratic inefficiency and missed opportunities in harnessing modern technologies.
