Drilling to probe earth cracks

Nimal WIJESINGHE-Anuradhapura Additional district group

The Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau launched a drilling program yesterday to get soil and mud samples from the cracked areas in close proximity to the Salpearu lagoon in Kuchchiveli in Trincomalee district.

On January 24 several cracks were reported in Salpearu area along a line of nearly 500 metres. Police and security personnel prohibited the people from flocking to the area to enable investigations. Dr N A Wijayananda told the Daily News that Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa had called for a immediate scientific probe report to be submitted to the Cabinet.

"Our team of geologists yesterday launched a drilling in the affected area to get soil samples for scientific analysis.