Metadata Portal forEnvironmental & Disaster Data
A UNDP-funded unified national platform connecting six Sri Lankan government organisations — integrating environmental and disaster risk data streams with public APIs, microsites, a disaster map tool, and an open public portal.
Six critical government organisations held Sri Lanka's environmental and disaster data in isolated silos — leaving decision-makers without a unified view and the public without access to life-saving information.
What We Built
We designed and built a unified national metadata portal connecting the data streams of six government organisations that manage environmental and disaster risk data across Sri Lanka.
Each organisation's existing data processes were digitised, converted into APIs, and connected to a single platform — enabling real-time data sharing, public transparency, and coordinated disaster response.
The platform spans eight major capabilities: from a citizen contributor mobile app and SMS weather station integration, to a disaster map creation tool, organisation microsites, and a finance module for licensed data access.
Project Role
Connected Organisations
Key Features
Eight purpose-built capabilities connecting government data to citizens and decision-makers.
Contributor Mobile App
Public-facing mobile application enabling citizens to submit vigilant data — crowdsourcing real-time environmental and disaster observations.
SMS Weather Station API
SMS-based API to collect automated data directly from distributed weather stations across Sri Lanka.
CSV Data Upload
Bulk data ingestion via CSV upload — converting legacy data sheets from each organisation into the unified metadata catalogue.
Metadata Catalogue
A structured, searchable catalogue of all environmental and disaster risk datasets across the six connected government organisations.
Organisation Microsites
Dedicated microsites for each of the six government organisations — providing branded, organisation-specific views into the shared data ecosystem.
Disaster Map Creation Tool
An interactive map-building tool enabling disaster management professionals to create and publish real-time disaster risk and impact maps.
Data Purchasing Mechanism
Finance module enabling licensed access to premium datasets — with payment processing, user accounts, and download management.
Open Public Portal
A publicly accessible portal providing summary views of all environmental and disaster data — promoting transparency and civic awareness.
How the System Works
Multi-channel data ingestion flows into a unified catalogue, powering microsites, map tools, and a public portal.
Outcomes & Impact
Unified Data Ecosystem
Six government organisations now share environmental and disaster data through a single, connected platform.
Improved Interoperability
API-first architecture enables seamless, real-time data exchange between previously siloed government systems.
Public Data Transparency
Open portal gives citizens and policymakers accessible, up-to-date views of environmental risk data.
Actionable Disaster Intelligence
Disaster map creation tool enables authorities to publish risk maps during emergencies in real time.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Consolidated data streams enable evidence-based policy, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness planning.
Community Vigilance
Contributor mobile app turns the public into active sensors — expanding data coverage across the island.
"By connecting data streams of six government organisations and creating a unified portal, this platform enables data-driven disaster management and ensures that critical environmental information is accessible — to both decision-makers and the public."
United Nations Development Programme · Sri LankaNeed to unify your government data?
From multi-agency data portals to disaster management platforms to open data ecosystems — we build national-scale systems that connect, surface, and activate critical data.