The important sections in this Act are -

• The functions of Surveyor General.

• The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.
• Functions of the Land Survey Council.
• Powers of a Registered surveyor.
• Charge against registered surveyor, to the Land Survey Council.
• Disciplinary powers of Council.
• Qualifications needed to get registration in Land Survey Council

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 Lecture notes on Survey Act

1.0 Act related with Land surveys: -;

• Before 04th October, 2002 enacted with
– Surveyors Ordinance
– Land Surveys Ordinance
• From 4th October, 2002 - Enacted with Survey Act No. 17 of 2002

2.0 Survey Act No 17 of 2002

• This act provides
– the powers and functions of Surveyor General;
– to regulate the carrying of a Land Surveys;
– the establishment of a Land Survey Council to regulate the professional,
conduct of surveyors; and
– to repeal the Land Surveys Ordinance and the Surveyors Ordinance;
3.0 In this Act
• Part – I states Powers and functions of the Surveyor General. And
• Part – II related to Land Survey Council

4.0 Summary
• The functions of Surveyor General.
• The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.
• Functions of the Land Survey Council.
• Powers of a Registered surveyor.
• Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.
• Disciplinary powers of Council.
• Qualification that entitles a person to be registered

4.1 Powers and functions of the Surveyor General

• Powers shall include the following,
✓ to regulate all land survey activities in Sri Lanka.
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 ✓ to establish and administer the National Geodetic Control Network
✓ to specify the standards of accuracy for cadastral, geodetic and
topographic surveys.
✓ to set standards for mapping.
✓ to establish and administer a system of accreditation for registered
Surveyors to conduct surveys under the Registration of Title Act.
✓ to establish calibration base to check electronic distance measuring
equipment.
✓ to receive, approve and maintain, cadastral surveying records.
✓ to produce and maintain records of topographic, thematic and special
purpose maps
✓ to be the principal authority responsible for receiving, storing and
exchanging in any form all spatial data for the purpose of promoting the
integration of surveying and mapping.
✓ to receive, store, reproduce and distribute, topographic, cadastral and
derived maps, remote-sensed data, aerial photographs and other survey
and mapping documents
✓ to co-ordinate where necessary, with foreign agencies for the exchange
of surveying, mapping and land information technology
✓ to ensure the maintenance of high professional standards among
persons engaged in land survey activities in the Department

4.2 The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.

• Section 4 states -Surveyor General’s decision on any question relating land
surveying or mapping to be final.
• Section 10 states - SG shall be responsible for preparation & maintenance of
cadastral maps.
• Section 11 states - Surveyor General to issue certificate of accreditation to
authorize a surveyor to carry out cadastral surveys.
• Section 14 states - Surveyor General, or any person authorized may demand
production of deed for the purpose of land surveying.
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 • Section 16 states- Surveyor General may enter into and survey land.
• Section 17 states - Penalty on abuse of power by Surveyor General or
registered Surveyor.
• Section 18 states- Obstruction of land surveys.
• Section 19 states- Interference (removing or destroying) with survey marks.
• Section 20 states- False survey marks.
• Section 22 states - Copies plans authenticated by the Surveyor General
admissible in evidence instead of originals.

4.3 Functions of the Land Survey Council.

• to maintain standards and procedure relating to land surveying and
professional discipline among persons engaged in land surveying;
• to receive applications from surveyors for registration as registered surveyors.
• To promote the maintenance of high standards of professional education
among persons engaged in land surveying;
• To promote programs which provide for professional development by improving
the knowledge and skills of persons practicing land surveying.
• To co-ordinate with the Institutions engaged in education and training in land
surveying and land information in Sri Lanka, for the maintenance of required
educational standards;
• To co-ordinate with other relevant organizations in Sri Lanka in the
maintenance of high professional standards.

4.4 Powers of a Registered surveyor

Section 44 states Powers of a registered surveyor.
• A registered surveyor —
– may engage in land surveys in the service of the Government and when
authorized by the Surveyor General; or
– who holds an Annual Practicing License, may engage in the practice of
land surveying for fee or reward.

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4.5 Professional Misconduct
Section 45 states Professional misconduct.
• a registered surveyor shall be guilty of professional misconduct if he is found
in any proceedings or appeal —
– to have been negligent or incompetent in the conduct of any survey:
– to have failed to comply with any guidelines or directions pertaining to
the practice of surveying or the requirements pertaining to the
preparation of and maintenance of survey plans and cadastral maps as
are prescribed
• has conducted a survey or certified a plan or map, without exercising due care
or caution
• without having personally conducted a survey, has caused it to be done by
another registered licensed surveyor and has not taken sufficient measures to
ensure the accuracy of the field work and office work of such other surveyor.
• has certified to the accuracy of such survey, map or plan knowing it to be
defective.
• to have made any false entry in any field book or other record.

4.6 Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.

• Section 46 states Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.
• Every charge of professional misconduct against a registered surveyor shall be
reported to the Council in writing,
• The Council shall conduct an inquiry relating to any charge of professional
misconduct against a registered surveyor.
• The decision of the Council on such inquiry shall be in writing.

4.7 Disciplinary powers of Council.

• Section 47 states Disciplinary powers of Council.
• Where the Council, after conducting an inquiry is satisfied that a registered
surveyor is guilty of professional misconduct the Council may make one or more
of the following orders
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 (a) make an order that the registration of the registered surveyor be
cancelled and the name of such surveyor be removed from the register;
(b) make an order that the registration of the registered surveyor be
suspended for a period not exceeding three years

4.8 Qualification that entitles a person to be registered

a) Academic qualification
i. Post Graduate Diploma in surveying or a higher qualification in surveying
from a University or an Institution recognized by the Council; Or
ii. Bachelors’ degree in Surveying from a University or an Institution
recognized by the Council; Or
iii. Diploma of Survey Technician (Advanced Level) from the Institute of
Surveying and Mapping Diyatalawa; and
(b) Practical experience;
i. For category (a) (i) – Minimum of two years practical experience to the
satisfaction of the Council.
ii. For category (a) (ii) – Minimum of three years practical experience to the
satisfaction of the Council.
iii. For category (a) (iii)
Minimum of ten years practical experience to the satisfaction of the
Council and pass in the Junior Professional Examination conducted by
the Survey Department. Or
Minimum of fifteen years practical experience to the satisfaction of the
Council and a recommendation of the Surveyor General that he is
professionally competent to be registered under this Act.

Licensed surveyors before under Surveyors’ Ordinance

(before Survey Act No 17 of 2002 was enacted)

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 • Professional Surveyors have obtained their training entirely privately,
theoretical training at Government Technical Colleges and practical training
under professional surveyors.
• After such training the persons who wanted to get licence sat for the annual
examination for the Surveyor General’s Licence in Surveying and Levelling.
• Those who were successful in the theoretical examination in Surveying and
Levelling qualified to sit for the corresponding practical examination which was
intended to be a rigorous test extended for 3-4 days.
• When a candidate had passed both the theoretical and practical examinations
he was issued with the Surveyor General’s Licence in Surveying or Levelling as
the case may be, and was thereafter empowered under the Surveyors’
Ordinance to practice his profession as a Surveyor or Leveller or both.
• As the Surveyors Ordinance is repealed by Survey Act No 17 of 2002, this
system is stopped now. Present system is as mentioned in Survey Act.

Past Questions and Answers

Year 2018 Question 4

(a) Survey Act -2002 provides “the powers and functions of Land Survey Council” Explain
briefly. (6 Marks)
(b) What are the main features in “Survey Act No. 17 of 2002” Summarize briefly (6 marks)

Answer

(a) Functions of the Land Survey Council.

• To maintain standards and procedure relating to land surveying
• professional discipline among persons engaged in land surveying;
• To receive applications from surveyors for registration as registered surveyors.
• To promote the maintenance of high standards of professional education among persons
engaged in land surveying;
• To promote programs which provide for professional development by improving the
knowledge and skills of persons practicing land surveying.
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 • To co-ordinate with the Institutions engaged in education and training in land surveying
and land information in Sri Lanka, for the maintenance of required educational standards;
• To co-ordinate with other relevant organizations in Sri Lanka in the maintenance of high
professional standards.

(b) Survey Act - Summary

• The functions of Surveyor General.
• The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.
• Functions of the Land Survey Council.
• Powers of a Registered surveyor.
• Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.
• Disciplinary powers of Council.
• Qualification that entitles a person to be registered

Year 2015 (September) Question 2

(a) What are the qualifications required for a person to register as Registered
Licensed Surveyor at Land Survey Council under Survey Act No 17 of
2002? (5 marks)
(c) How surveyors got licence to practice as Licensed Surveyor before
Survey Act No 17 of 2002 was enacted. (or under Surveyors’ Ordinance).
(5 marks)

Answer

(a) Qualification that entitles a person to be registered

b) Academic qualification
i. Post Graduate Diploma in surveying or a higher qualification in surveying
from a University or an Institution recognized by the Council; Or
ii. Bachelors’ degree in Surveying from a University or an Institution
recognized by the Council; Or
iii. Diploma of Survey Technician (Advanced Level) from the Institute of
Surveying and Mapping Diyatalawa; and

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(b) Practical experience;
iv. For category (a) (i) – Minimum of two years practical experience to the
satisfaction of the Council.
v. For category (a) (ii) – Minimum of three years practical experience to the
satisfaction of the Council.
vi. For category (a) (iii)
Minimum of ten years practical experience to the satisfaction of the Council
and pass in the Junior Professional Examination conducted by the Survey
Department. Or
Minimum of fifteen years practical experience to the satisfaction of the
Council and a recommendation of the Surveyor General that he is
professionally competent to be registered under this Act.

(b) Licensed surveyors before under Surveyors’ Ordinance (before Survey Act No 17
of 2002 was enacted)

• Professional Surveyors have obtained their training entirely privately, theoretical

training at Government Technical Colleges and practical training under
professional surveyors.
• After such training the persons who wanted to get licence sat for the annual
examination for the Surveyor General’s Licence in Surveying and Levelling.
• Those who were successful in the theoretical examination in Surveying and
Levelling qualified to sit for the corresponding practical examination which was
intended to be a rigorous test extended for 3-4 days.
• When a candidate had passed both the theoretical and practical examinations he
was issued with the Surveyor General’s Licence in Surveying or Levelling as the
case may be, and was thereafter empowered under the Surveyors’ Ordinance to
practice his profession as a Surveyor or Leveller or both.
• As the Surveyors Ordinance is repealed by Survey Act No 17 of 2002, this system
is stopped now. Present system is as mentioned in Survey Act.

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Year 2015 Question 2 (b) Survey Act -2002 provides “the powers and functions of
Surveyor General” Explain briefly. (5 Marks).

Answer

Powers and functions of the Surveyor General

• Powers shall include the following,
✓ to regulate all land survey activities in Sri Lanka.
✓ to establish and administer the National Geodetic Control Network
✓ to specify the standards of accuracy for cadastral, geodetic and topographic
surveys.
✓ to set standards for mapping.
✓ to establish and administer a system of accreditation for registered
Surveyors to conduct surveys under the Registration of Title Act.
✓ to establish calibration base to check electronic distance measuring
equipment.
✓ to receive, approve and maintain, cadastral surveying records.
✓ to produce and maintain records of topographic, thematic and special
purpose maps
✓ to be the principal authority responsible for receiving, storing and
exchanging in any form all spatial data for the purpose of promoting the
integration of surveying and mapping.
✓ to receive, store, reproduce and distribute, topographic, cadastral and
derived maps, remote-sensed data, aerial photographs and other survey
and mapping documents
✓ to co-ordinate where necessary, with foreign agencies for the exchange of
surveying, mapping and land information technology
✓ to ensure the maintenance of high professional standards among persons
engaged in land survey activities in the Department

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Year 2017 (September) Question 2
(d) What are the main features in Survey Act No. 17 of 2002. Summarize briefly. (5
marks)
(e ) “Powers of registered surveyor” (5 marks)

Answer

(d) Summary
• The functions of Surveyor General.
• The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.
• Functions of the Land Survey Council.
• Powers of a Registered surveyor.
• Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.
• Disciplinary powers of Council.
• Qualification that entitles a person to be registered

(e) Powers of a Registered surveyor

Section 44 states Powers of a registered surveyor.
• A registered surveyor —
– may engage in land surveys in the service of the Government and when
authorized by the Surveyor General; or
– who holds an Annual Practicing License, may engage in the practice of land
surveying for fee or reward.

Year 2015 (MARCH) Question 2

Survey Act No 17 of 2002 provides

– the powers and functions of Surveyor General;

– to regulate the carrying of a Land Surveys;
– the establishment of a Land Survey Council to regulate the professional,
conduct of surveyors; and
– to repeal the Land Surveys Ordinance and the Surveyors Ordinance;

Explain in brief

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 I. The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.
II. Functions of the Land Survey Council.
III. Powers of a Registered surveyor. (20 marks)

Answer

(i) The powers Surveyor General has on land matters.

• Section 4 states -Surveyor General’s decision on any question relating land

surveying or mapping to be final.
• Section 10 states - SG shall be responsible for preparation & maintenance of
cadastral maps.
• Section 11 states - Surveyor General to issue certificate of accreditation to
authorize a surveyor to carry out cadastral surveys.
• Section 14 states - Surveyor General, or any person authorized may demand
production of deed for the purpose of land surveying.
• Section 16 states- Surveyor General may enter into and survey land.
• Section 17 states - Penalty on abuse of power by Surveyor General or registered
Surveyor.
• Section 18 states- Obstruction of land surveys.
• Section 19 states- Interference (removing or destroying) with survey marks.
• Section 20 states- False survey marks.
• Section 22 states - Copies plans authenticated by the Surveyor General
admissible in evidence instead of originals.

(ii) Functions of the Land Survey Council.

• to maintain standards and procedure relating to land surveying and professional

discipline among persons engaged in land surveying;
• to receive applications from surveyors for registration as registered surveyors.
• To promote the maintenance of high standards of professional education among
persons engaged in land surveying;
• To promote programs which provide for professional development by improving
the knowledge and skills of persons practicing land surveying.
12
 • To co-ordinate with the Institutions engaged in education and training in land
surveying and land information in Sri Lanka, for the maintenance of required
educational standards;
• To co-ordinate with other relevant organizations in Sri Lanka in the maintenance
of high professional standards.

(iii) Powers of a Registered surveyor

Section 44 states Powers of a registered surveyor.
• A registered surveyor —
– may engage in land surveys in the service of the Government and when
authorized by the Surveyor General; or
– who holds an Annual Practicing License, may engage in the practice of land
surveying for fee or reward.

Year 2020 Question 2

Survey Act No 17 of 2002 provides

– the powers and functions of Surveyor General;
– to regulate the carrying of a Land Surveys;
– the establishment of a Land Survey Council to regulate the professional,
conduct of surveyors; and
– to repeal the Land Surveys Ordinance and the Surveyors Ordinance;

In Survey Act

i. Section 45 states Professional misconduct of a registered surveyor. Explain in

brief. (8 marks)
ii. Section 46 states Charge against registered surveyor, to the Land Survey
Council. Explain in brief. (8 marks)
iii. Section 47 states Disciplinary powers of Land Survey Council. Explain in brief.
(9 marks)

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 Answer

(i) Section 45 states Professional misconduct of a registered surveyor.

• a registered surveyor shall be guilty of professional misconduct if he is found in
any proceedings or appeal —
– to have been negligent or incompetent in the conduct of any survey:
– to have failed to comply with any guidelines or directions pertaining to the
practice of surveying or the requirements pertaining to the preparation of
and maintenance of survey plans and cadastral maps as are prescribed
• has conducted a survey or certified a plan or map, without exercising due care or
caution
• without having personally conducted a survey, has caused it to be done by another
registered licensed surveyor and has not taken sufficient measures to ensure the
accuracy of the field work and office work of such other surveyor.
• has certified to the accuracy of such survey, map or plan knowing it to be defective.
• to have made any false entry in any field book or other record.

(ii) Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.

• Section 46 states Charge against registered surveyor, to the Council.
• Every charge of professional misconduct against a registered surveyor shall be
reported to the Council in writing,
• The Council shall conduct an inquiry relating to any charge of professional
misconduct against a registered surveyor.
• The decision of the Council on such inquiry shall be in writing.

(iii) Disciplinary powers of Council.

• Section 47 states Disciplinary powers of Council.
• Where the Council, after conducting an inquiry is satisfied that a registered
surveyor is guilty of professional misconduct the Council may make one or more
of the following orders
(a) make an order that the registration of the registered surveyor be cancelled
and the name of such surveyor be removed from the register;

(b) make an order that the registration of the registered surveyor be suspended
for a period not exceeding three years

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