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Lanka’s southern waters hide a gravity anomaly that baffles scientists

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1 year ago

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The Earth beneath your feet is far from still. While we understand quite a bit about the Earth’s surface, the interior remains a mystery. (CREDIT: International Centre for Global Earth Models / Wikimedia, CC BY 4.0)

One of the most puzzling phenomena lies beneath the Indian Ocean, south of Sri Lanka, where a massive gravity anomaly known as the Indian Ocean Geoid Low (IOGL) has confounded researchers for decades, said a report published by The Brighter Side News.

It said that this anomaly, marked by a dramatic 106-meter drop in the ocean’s surface, is the lowest geoid anomaly on Earth. Its origin remains a mystery, making it one of the most intriguing unresolved problems in Earth sciences. “The existence of the Indian Ocean Geoid Low is one of the most outstanding problems in Earth Sciences,” says Prof. Attreyee Ghosh, an assistant professor at the Centre for Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

It said: The ground beneath you may seem stable, but the Earth is in a state of constant motion. While we have a solid understanding of the Earth’s surface, its interior remains largely unexplored. Even with all our technological advancements, we still haven’t developed probes capable of reaching the Earth’s crust, which is just 35 kilometers deep. To uncover the mysteries of the Earth’s core and mantle, we rely on indirect methods.

Though the Earth may look like a perfect blue sphere from space, it’s actually more like a lumpy, misshapen potato. This uneven shape is due to the non-uniform distribution of matter inside the planet, which creates variations in gravity. The movement of tectonic plates, which form mountains and valleys, also contributes to these deformations.

Oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface, so these irregularities also affect the shape of the ocean. Without tides and currents, the ocean water would settle into a smooth, wave-like form called a geoid. This geoid rises in areas where gravity is strong and sinks where gravity is weak. These variations in the ocean’s surface, known as “geoid anomalies,” are caused by the distribution of mass deep within the Earth.

One of the most intriguing geoid anomalies is located south of Sri Lanka. Known as the Indian Ocean Geoid Low (IOGL), this massive area is characterized by a significant drop in gravity, causing the ocean surface to dip 106 meters. This “gravity hole” has puzzled scientists for decades.

In a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters, Prof. Ghosh and her colleagues, along with researchers from the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, investigated the missing mass causing the geoid low.

Past studies attributed it to a remnant of an ancient plate that dived into the mantle beneath another plate millions of years ago, but there had been no convincing explanation until now.

Using numerical models of mantle convection, the researchers explained the mass deficit. Mantle convection involves movement within the Earth’s mantle, where hotter, lighter material rises, and cooler, denser material sinks due to gravity. This movement was driven by seismic tomography models, which use seismic waves to create a 3-dimensional picture of the Earth’s interior.

The researchers discovered that ‘low-density anomalies’—the presence of lighter materials in the upper to mid-mantle beneath the IOGL—caused the gravity low in this region. Mantle plumes, or rising abnormally hot rock, can result in low-density anomalies.

However, no known mantle plume exists beneath the IOGL. Instead, they found hot material rising from the African large low-shear-velocity province (LLSVP) or the African superplume, near the IOGL, which gets deflected eastward and terminates beneath the IOGL. The deflection is possibly due to the fast motion of the Indian plate.

The researchers used supercomputers to simulate how the area could have formed, going as far back as 140 million years. “The Earth is basically a lumpy potato,” said Ghosh. “Technically, it’s not a sphere, but what we call an ellipsoid, because as the planet rotates, the middle part bulges outward.”

To find a potential answer, Ghosh and her colleagues used computer models to set the clock back 140 million years in order to see the big picture, geologically. “We have some information and some confidence about what the Earth looked like back then,” she said. “The continents and the oceans were in very different places, and the density structure was also very different.”

From that starting point, the team ran 19 simulations up to the present day, recreating the shifting of tectonic plates and the behaviour of magma inside the mantle. In six scenarios, a geoid low similar to the one in the Indian Ocean formed. The distinguishing factor in all six models was the presence of plumes of magma around the geoid low, believed to be responsible for the formation of the “gravity hole.”

The plumes themselves originated from the disappearance of an ancient ocean as India’s landmass drifted and eventually collided with Asia tens of millions of years ago. “India was in a very different place 140 million years ago, and there was an ocean between the Indian plate and Asia. India started moving north and as it did, the ocean disappeared, and the gap with Asia closed,” Ghosh explained.

As the oceanic plate went down inside the mantle, it could have spurred the formation of the plumes, bringing low-density material closer to Earth’s surface.

“A geoid low or a negative geoid anomaly would be caused by a mass deficit within the deep mantle. Our study explains this low with hotter, lighter material stretching from a depth of 300 km up to ~900 km in the northern Indian Ocean, most likely stemming from the African superplume,” says Prof. Ghosh.


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Ex-lawmakers group calls for IPU’s intervention to check “irregularities” in Parliament

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36 mins ago

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2026/04/18

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Association of Former Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka has requested the Inter-Parliamentary Union to inquire into, what the group calls, institutional irregularities in Parliament.

The Association cited the decision taken by the Attorney General not to appear for Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremeratne, in a case filed in the Court of Appeal by sacked Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, to underscore the need for IPU’s intervention.

The following is the text of the letter signed by former JVP MP Premasiri Manage, on behalf of the Association:  We write to Your Excellency on behalf of the Association of Former Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka, an independent body representing former legislators who have served the Parliament of Sri Lanka across successive administrations. The Association is committed to upholding democratic values, parliamentary traditions, institutional integrity, and the rule of law within Sri Lanka’s governance framework. It is with grave concern that we bring to your attention a series of developments that, in our respectful view, seriously undermine parliamentary democracy, administrative fairness, and institutional independence in Sri Lanka.

1. Unlawful Cancellation of Parliamentary Pensions

The present Government of Sri Lanka has, through actions that we consider both unlawful and unethical, cancelled the pension entitlements of former Members of Parliament. This decision appears to have been taken arbitrarily, without adherence to established legal principles, legitimate expectations, or due process, thereby undermining the dignity and security of those who have served in the national legislature.

2. Illegal and Malicious Interdiction of the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament

We wish to draw urgent attention to the interdiction of the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, which raises serious concerns regarding abuse of authority and interference in administrative due process. According to material presently before the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka (CA/Writ Application No. 109/2026), the interdiction:

• Was imposed through the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee (PSAC), which lacks lawful authority to exercise such disciplinary powers, rendering the action ultra vires;

• Was based on a preliminary inquiry conducted without proper legal mandate, thereby invalidating the process from its inception;

• Was not the result of an independent administrative determination, but was carried out following the direct personal intervention and influence of Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne;

• Appears to have been driven by personal and retaliatory considerations, amounting to a malicious exercise of authority rather than a lawful disciplinary process.

Importantly, it is also noted that the Attorney General of Sri Lanka has withdrawn from appearing on behalf of the Hon. Speaker in the related proceedings, reportedly in view of serious procedural irregularities associated with the interdiction process. The Speaker has consequently retained private legal counsel. This development strongly indicates that serious legal and procedural defects exist in the interdiction process, further reinforcing concerns regarding its legality and propriety. It is therefore evident that the lawful disciplinary framework vested in the Secretary General of Parliament was bypassed, resulting in a serious violation of the principles of natural justice, institutional independence, and the rule of law.

3. Discrimination and Harassment within Parliamentary Administration

We are also deeply concerned by credible allegations of discrimination and harassment within the parliamentary administrative structure, which, in our respectful view, have arisen as a result of the interference of the present Speaker in the administrative affairs of Parliament, thereby undermining the independence of the parliamentary administration. These concerns include:

• Discriminatory conduct affecting senior officials, including the Deputy Secretary General;

• Harassment and discriminatory treatment of female staff members within Parliament;

• The resignation of one female officer due to such circumstances;

• Confirmed findings of harassment in respect of another female officer attached to the Information Technology Division, as established by a report submitted by a former High Court Judge.

These incidents indicate a disturbing pattern of administrative misconduct and a failure to ensure a safe, independent, and professional working environment within Parliament.

3. Broader Institutional Concerns

The above matters collectively raise serious concerns regarding:

• The erosion of the independence of parliamentary administration;

• Abuse of authority and concentration of power;

• Undermining of due process and established legal frameworks;

• A broader decline in adherence to democratic governance standards.

 Request for Engagement

In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Inter-Parliamentary Union:

1. Intervene and monitor the situation;

2. Call for reports and clarifications from the Speaker and senior parliamentary administration;

3. Facilitate independent review and observation of relevant judicial proceedings;

4. Promote accountability and restoration of institutional integrity within Parliament.

Given the IPU’s distinguished role in safeguarding parliamentary democracy and promoting good governance worldwide, we firmly believe that your timely engagement will contribute significantly to restoring institutional integrity and public confidence in Sri Lanka’s Parliament.

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Power and Energy Minister, Ministry Secy resign over coal probe

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36 mins ago

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2026/04/18

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Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala have resigned from their posts.According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the two officials submitted their letters of resignation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon.

The resignations come in the wake of a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe possible unlawful activity and financial irregularities in coal procurement and power generation.

The PMD said the decision was taken to ensure that the Commission’s work proceeds without interference or perceived influence from individuals holding office.

Minister Jayakody, in his resignation letter, noted that following the appointment of the Commission, he had requested that investigations into coal imports, since 2009, be referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), describing it as part of the government’s anti-corruption mandate.

He added that the inquiry should be conducted independently and without bias, and said his continued presence in office could be perceived as an obstacle to the process.

Prof. Hemapala, in his resignation letter, said his decision was intended to facilitate the commencement of investigations and ensure a transparent and independent process, the PMD said.

The Special Presidential Commission was recently appointed to examine allegations of irregularities in coal imports and electricity generation over a prolonged period and to recommend corrective measures.

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President appoints Commission to probe irregularities in coal imports from inception of Norochcholai

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37 mins ago

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2026/04/18

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged irregularities in coal imports and electricity generation, amid concerns over possible financial losses to the State.

The President’s Office said the Commission would examine transactions from the inception of coal-based power generation in Sri Lanka up to April 16, 2026, focusing on operations linked to the CEB-affiliated Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd., its successors, and private suppliers.

The three-member body is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga, with Court of Appeal Justice Adithya Patabendige and High Court Judge Sanjeewa Somaratne as members. Former Ministry Secretary P.V. Bandulasena has been appointed Secretary to the Commission.

Appointed under the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Act No. 07 of 1978, as amended, the Commission has been mandated to scrutinise procurement procedures, supply chains, quality testing, and operational processes connected to coal imports and utilisation.

The Commission has been tasked with the following mandates:

• To determine whether irregularities or illegal acts occurred in the procurement process for coal imports and to assess any resulting financial loss to the government.

• To investigate whether substandard coal was imported during the relevant period and to examine the entire associated workflow, including procurement, supply, quality testing, operational, and utility processes.

• To ascertain whether electricity generation using imported coal reached the expected levels of efficiency and productivity.

• To investigate whether legal or financial irregularities or illegal acts occurred during the power generation process if substandard coal was indeed utilized.

• To examine whether there were any breaches of expressed terms or conditions in these processes and, if so, whether measures such as withholding payments or other compensatory actions were taken.

• To identify the political authorities, government officials, officers of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd, suppliers, or their agents responsible for any such incidents and to recommend future action to be taken against them.

• To propose measures to prevent the recurrence of such alleged malpractices or illegal acts in the future and to ensure proper governance and integrity.

In addition to the above, the Commission will also report on any other alleged malpractices or illegal acts related to coal importation and electricity generation, and recommend preventive measures to address such issues.

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