Fifth seismic station in WP to gauge tremors within country: Env. Minister

Preliminary steps have been taken by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to establish the fifth seismic station in the Western Province (WP) to measure tremor activities in and around Sri Lanka, the Environment Ministry said.

The decision was arrived at following the recent statement made by Prof. Athula Senaratne, the professor at the Peradeniya University Geology Department, on the possibility of facing a major earthquake in the near future.

"I discussed this with the geologists at the GSMB and appointed a committee of experts and professors to look into the earthquakes. GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola was appointed as the Chairman of the committee. The geologists who were at the meeting emphasised to me that not to discuss it in the committee," he said.

"But no one can rule out the possibility of an earthquake. Still, there is no technology in the world to forecast when an earthquake will strike," the Minister said.

"We are aware that minor earthquakes have been reported from time to time inland as well as in the seas close to our country during the last two years. Therefore, there is a fear in the society regarding the possibility of an earthquake in our country within a very short period time," Prof. Senaratne said.

The minor earthquakes were first reported recently in the area around Victoria Reservoir.

Meanwhile, according to the recommendations submitted by the committee, 10 seismo meters will be installed at several other locations along the Victoria Dam to study the seismic activities.

"About two months ago, we installed the same 10 seismometers in ten places in the Kandy suburbs. Also, steps have been taken to implement all the recommendations of the report, he said.

Apart from Kandy, earthquakes were also reported from Badulla, Madulsima, Lunugamvehera and Hambantota recently. Also, two earthquakes of significant magnitude were reported in the sea area close to our country in a short period of time.

Therefore, as the Minister, I instructed GSMB to take immediate action in this regard.

Currently, there are four seismic stations in our country. But geologists are of the opinion that only three seismic stations are sufficient for our country.

Nevertheless, we are taking steps to establish the fifth centre in the WP, and it will cost a lot of money.

Moreover, Senior seismologist Nilmini Thaldena said that at no time could anyone predict an earthquake in the future.

"Although Sri Lanka is not in an earthquake belt, Indonesia is prone to tsunamis due to earthquakes. When the 2004 tsunami struck us, our country was not ready for it, but now we have all the necessary precautions in place to reduce the risk and catastrophe, "she said.

She also said the equipment currently available in our country is very adequate for measuring earthquakes and sufficient enough to collect seismic data from the equipment that we currently have. However, we will discuss further with the relevant expert committee in this regard and if there are any shortcomings, we will take steps to rectify them, she said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)