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Lanka as it is will disappear in 200 million years

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/27

Sri Lanka as we know it today would disappear to become part of the new Indian subcontinent in 200 million years from now, says a new study.

A research paper was published in the American Journal of Science by Utrecht University geologist Professor Douwe van Hinsbergen says that in about 200 million years from now, India will smash into Somalia and Madagascar as all continents are continuously moving, driven by tectonic plates beneath us that are slowly but surely in transit from one destination to another, said a report published by India Times.

It said: Based on simulations that predict tectonic plate movements in the distant future, scientists ascertained that the Arabian Sea would cease to exist in 200 million years. India’s western coastline would be replaced by Somalian mountains. Mumbai would be fine, though, even without the ocean.

India’s financial capital would be then situated at the foot of the so-called “Somalaya Mountains” that would replace the entire coastal line. Mogadishu and Mumbai would become almost neighbours in 200 million years from now. Kolkata and Mauritius, too, would be closer to each other.

Sri Lanka as we know it today would also disappear, becoming part of the new Indian subcontinent.

In conversation with Indian Express, Dr. van Hinsbergen explained that southwest India would “get a depression… from Trivandrum all the way to Karachi.”

“The Horn of Africa which includes Somalia would override or bulldoze over southwest India and make this big mountain belt,” the Dutch professor added.

A similar process gave birth to continents as we understand them today from the former supercontinent of Pangea that broke away over millions of years of movement to give rise to all mountain ranges and coastal regions that exist today.

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

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CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando