Minor tremor rattles several areas

Lakshmi DE SILVA

A slight tremor was experienced yesterday around 8.45 a.m. in Tissamaharama, Hambantota, Lunugamvehera, Weerawila, Kataragama and Galle as well as Panama, Ampara, Badulla, Moneragala and Kandy, Geology and Mines Bureau Department Director Dr. Kithsiri Dissanayake told the Daily News.

Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayake Thera, Ruhunu Magampattuwa, Ven. Kapugama Saranatissa Thera said after the auspicious time for anointing oil for the new year, a slight earth tremor was felt at Kataragama but there was no harm to anyone or property. To

The administrative officer of the Kataragama Devale W. Gunasena said the tremor was felt around the same time but no damage was reported. Monkeys living in large numbers in the area had climbed down from the trees and hid in nooks and corners before the tremor was experienced.

Even before the tsunami animals had behaved like that and fled the area, he said.

Geologist Professor Kapila Dahanayake said he received several telephone calls from Galle, Tissamaharama, Kataragama and Kandy about the tremor. Earth tremors such as yesterday's occur at different times and according to telephone calls he received, the tremor at Polgolla and near Trinity College, Kandy and had lasted a short time but he had not felt it though he lives at Aniwatte, Kandy.

"It was a mild tremor or a harmless small earthquake, but if repeated in a short period could be dangerous," Professor Dahanayake said.

Dr. Dissanayake said according to data available at the Pallekelle station, the tremor was less than four on the richter scale.

"There were no adverse effects or no tsunami threat.

However we have only one station to monitor earth tremors but we are hoping to instal two more such stations at Hakmana and Maha Kanadarawa. Earth tremors or quakes could not be predicted but monitored when they occur."

Prof M.P. Wijeyanada when asked whether Sri Lanka is in danger of facing an earthquake, said Sri Lanka is in the centre of a geological plate and not near a crack and was not in danger of experiencing earthquakes.