Geology experts said that large scale earthquakes are not possible in the country. They insisted that Sri Lanka is located close to the centre of the Indo-Australian plateau, so there is little chance of a large-scale earthquake.
It was revealed at a discussion on Sri Lanka and earthquake risk organized by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau yesterday that 98 per cent of all earthquakes that occur in the world are occurring near the plate boundary Prof. Athula Senaratne, Prof. L. R. K. Perera, Dr. N.P.Wijayananda, Dr.Bernard Prem as well as Engineer Bandula Kandaragama participated in the discussion. GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola moderated the programme.
This discussion was held to clarify whether there is a possibility of a large-scale earthquake in our country 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.
The magnitude of earthquakes outside the plate boundary is 02 percent.Therefore, although there is no need to create an unnecessary fear, it is advisable to take technical measures to protect earthquakes, they said.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 have already been set up around the Victoria Reservoir as per the recommendations of the committee appointed on the instructions of Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.Geologist Ajith Prem spoke on the effects of earthquakes and the risk of earthquakes in our country.Seismologist Nilmini Thaldena said the GSMB is currently collecting seismic data from around the world and has the necessary technical equipment to do so.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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