No tsunami threat

There is absolutely no basis to the information circulating through the Internet that a tsunami could take place on 22 or 23, July, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi said yesterday.

"There is no cause for panic since no one can predict either about a tsunami or earthquake. At the same time Sri Lanka has no need to worry much since the said Tsunami is said to take place in Japan. It is hardly likely to affect Sri Lanka since Japan is so far away from Sri Lanka," Major General Hettiarachchi added.

He said four 'tsunami meters' have been installed around the Indian ocean. These machines always monitor whether a tsunami can occur. If a tsunami threat is indicated the mechanism will be activated immediately. Accordingly the general public is made aware and steps will be taken to evacuate people from the danger areas. Police and social workers will help in the evacuation process. Safe locations have already been identified and the people have been informed about the evacuation process.

Though a tsunami can't be predicted an earthquake can take place at any moment. Since an earth quake is followed by a tsunami the Meteorological Department along with world Tsunami Warning Centres are on alert.

All safety precautions are in place in the event of a tsunami. Therefore people should not panic unnecessarily about a tsunami, Major General Hettiarachchi added.