News
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.
Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (22 Mar 25).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
JMSDF MURASAME is a 151m long Destroyer commanded by Commander HAYAKAWA Masahiro. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 200.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 25 Mar 25.
It has been reported that two persons riding a motorcycle were killed in a shooting incident that took place around 11.45pm on Friday [21] night , in front of the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, on Sinhasana Road.
The unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and 9 mm firearms before fleeing the scene. The police have recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 rounds of live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, three 9 mm bullet casings, and one 9mm live ammunition.
The van suspected to have been used by the shooters was found abandoned and set on fire on a side road about 800 meters from the crime scene.
The two deceased victims have been identified as Tikira Hennedige Yomesh Nadishan and Marakkala Manage Pasidu Tharuka, both residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.
Matale Dirstrict SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna yesterday tabled a list in Parliament naming 1,300 members, leaders, trade unionists, and activists of the UNP, who were allegedly assassinated by the JVP. The list was submitted during a parliamentary session as part of the government’s ongoing effort to document victims of political violence.
Along with the names of the victims, MP Wijerathna also introduced over 900 family members of the alleged victims, providing further context to the extent of the violence.
Speaking during the session, MP Wijerathna stated, “Child soldiers were recruited by the JVP even before the LTTE. ‘Kantale Bonikki,’ a 13-year-old child was used to murder a 70-year-old female UNP supporter.” She accused the JVP of using children to kill numerous UNP members during the JVP’s second insurgency.
The MP said that names not included in the current list would be submitted during the upcoming “Batalanda Debate” in April.
MP Wijerathna invited the public, via her Facebook page to submit further details on family members affected by political violence to ensure their inclusion in the extended record.
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