No chance of major earthquake striking Sri Lanka, experts determine

By Ifham Nizam

Large scale earthquakes are not possible in Sri Lanka as the country is situated in a safe plateau between two major fault lines, a team of experts comprising Professors of Geology and scientists have said.

Prof. Athula Senaratne, Prof. L. R. K. Perera, Dr. N. P. Wijayananda, Dr. Bernard Prem and Bandula Kandaragama from Australia said at a press conference in Colombo with the participation of Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Chairman Anura Walpola was

All those with doctorates and professors who spoke on the occasion stressed that Sri Lanka was located close to the center of the Indo-Australian plateau, so there was little chance of a large-scale earthquake here.

Ninety-eight percent of all earthquakes that occured at present were situated near the plate boundary. The magnitude of earthquakes outside the plate boundary is two percent. Therefore, although there was no need to create unnecessary fear, it was advisable to precautionary measure, they said.

Seismologist Nilmini Thaldena said that GSMB was currently collecting seismic data from around the world and had the necessary technical equipment to do so.

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau yesterday conducted a special awareness programme on Sri Lanka’s earthquake risk.

This discussion was held to clarify whether there is a possibility of a large scale earthquake here in the future due to the occasional minor earth tremors that have occurred from time to time in a number of areas including the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.

GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola said that four seismic stations have been set up at Mahakanadarawa, Pallekele, Hakmana and Buddhangala and two more will be set up in the Western and North Western Provinces in the near future.

He said that 10 micro seismic units had already been set up around the Victoria Reservoir as per the recommendations of the committee appointed on the instructions of Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.