By Ifham Nizam

Plans are underway to set up the country’s fifth seismic station in the Western Province with Chinese assistance to measure earthquakes occurring in and around Sri Lanka.

Responding to queries, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday confirmed that discussions were being held with the Chinese government in that regard. He however didn’t reveal the total investment including the cost of maintenance of the proposed Monitoring Centre. He only said it would a huge sum.

Commenting on remarks by Prof. Athula Senaratne of the University of Peradeniya that Sri Lanka was likely to face a major earthquake in the near future, the Minister said, @I discussed this with the geologists at the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. We have appointed a committee of highly qualified scientists including professors to look into it.”

Prof. Senaratne is also on the committee. However, geologists have informed the minister that the latest prediction by Prof. Senaratne had not been discussed by the committee so far.

Amaraweera added: “None can rule out the possibility of an earthquake. There is no technology in the world to forecast earthquakes. “You are aware that minor earthquakes have been reported from time to time inland as well as in the seas close to our country during the last two years. Therefore, there is a fear in society regarding the possibility of an earthquake in our country in a very short time.”

Minor earthquakes were first reported in the area around Victoria Reservoir near Kandy. Therefore, in the capacity as the Minister concerned, he appointed a committee consisting of mainly university Dons to investigate and report on these frequent tremors.

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Chairman Anura Walpola was appointed as its Chairman.

The report also made a number of recommendations. According to the recommendations, 10 seismometers will be installed at several other locations along the Victoria Dam to study seismic conditions.

“Two months ago, we installed the same type of seismometers at 10 places in the Kandy suburbs. Steps have also been taken to implement all the recommendations of the report, the Minister said, adding apart from Kandy, minor earthquakes had been reported from Badulla, Madolsima, Lunugamvehera and Hambantota recently. Also, two earthquakes of significant magnitude were reported in the sea area close to the country in a short period of time.

The Minister also said on Tuesday he had instructed GSMB to take immediate action in that regard.

There are currently four seismic stations. However, geologists are of the opinion that three would be sufficient.

However, government is taking steps to establish the fifth centre in the Western Province.

Senior seismologist Nilmini Thaldena said that nobody could predict an earthquake. Although Sri Lanka was not in an earthquake risk zone, Indonesia was prone to be the base for tsunamis due to earthquakes there. “When the 2004 tsunami hit us, our country was not ready for it, but now we have all the necessary precautions in place to reduce the risk,” she said.

She also said that the equipment currently available in the country was adequate to measure earthquakes. “The equipment we currently have is enough to collect seismic data. However, we will discuss further with the relevant expert committee in this regard and if there are any shortcomings, we will take steps to rectify them,” she said.

Geologist Ajith Preenama, Director, Mapping Division was also present.