The Lasdo final seminar took place on September 4th 2003 at the Galadari Hotel - Colombo. Around 111 persons attended the seminar, to which should be added journalists from Sri Lankan TV that covered the event.

Designed in a similar format as for the opening one, as far as protocol presentations were concerned, this seminar was divided into two sessions :

The morning session was devoted to political and protocol presentations completed by his Worship Mr. Prasanna GUNAWARDENA, Mayor of Colombo ; Mr Wouter L.WILTON, Chargé d'Affaires at the European delegation for Sri Lanka and Maldives ; Mr. Gaël de MAISONNEUVE, Chargé d'Affaires of the French Embassy for Sri Lanka and Maldives.

After a short coffee break, the three project partner representatives presented their general views of the project completion and outcomes, namely Eng. Shantha JAYASUNDERA, CMC ; Mr Philippe BILLOT, APUR-City of Paris and Mr Emilio MARTINEZ VIDAL, City of Madrid.

The presentation of sub-project 1 outcome, GEOKIOSK for Colombo, was then presented to the public in its final version. People showed high interest in this presentation resulting in numerous questions from the audience. During this question period, his Worship Mr Prasanna GUNAWARDENA, confirmed his wish to make the GEOKIOSK accessible to Colombo citizens through a multimedia interactive point.

The afternoon sessions were devoted to the presentation of sub-project 2 and 3 outcomes :

First was presented the methodology adopted to build the data base and associated cartographic information. In particular, the presentations contained detailed explanation of how the reference map was elaborated as this aspect is crucial in the implementation of a GIS.

Second, sub-project 2 thematic Atlas was presented, including comments on selected thematic maps showing the utility of GIS as a tool for more efficicient decision making and study of critical urban issues (demography, health, environment,etc.), in addition to defining appropriate planning policies for the future. Examples of the thematic maps presented at the final seminar are included in this report.

Third, sub-project 3 outcomes, namely, project booklet and comprehensive report on underserved settlement issues were presented with particular focus on project methodology regarding community participation , field surveys (formalised into dada sheets), data integration, elaboration of the GIS and publication of the USS maps and related thematic maps.

The seminar closed around 5.00 PM with a vote of thanks.