Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Tuesday, 12 May 2026 06:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The US Embassy in Sri Lanka, together with the Association for Disaster Risk Management Professionals (ADRiMP), will host the GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence) for Disaster Resilience Exhibition and Symposium, open to the public on 14 May at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo.
It will showcase how advanced mapping tools and American-led artificial intelligence innovations can strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
GeoAI combines geographic data—such as maps, satellite imagery, and weather patterns—with artificial intelligence to help authorities better predict, monitor, and respond to natural disasters. Drawing on U.S. leadership in AI and geospatial technologies, these tools support faster, more accurate, and data-driven decision-making during emergencies such as floods, storms, and landslides.
The US Embassy in Sri Lanka supported the launch of the GeoAI for Disaster Resilience initiative in December 2025 following the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah. Developed by disaster management experts Dr. Novil Wijesekara and Dr. Aslam Saja in collaboration with ADRiMP, the project aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s ability to respond to extreme weather events and build long-term resilience.
The program has trained 150 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professionals and university students, equipping them with advanced, AI-enhanced tools to improve disaster risk management. For example, these tools can map flood-prone areas in real time, predict how a storm may impact specific communities, and help emergency responders plan evacuations more effectively—capabilities that will be demonstrated at the exhibition. The exhibition and symposium will feature innovative, locally developed GeoAI solutions, demonstrating how these technologies can be applied to real-world disaster challenges across Sri Lanka.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on 14 May. Registration is required; please visit https://arcg.is/0b9bbL2 to register.
