Ampara tremors – further investigations to probe cause

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau will conduct further investigations in the Ampara district to ascertain the real cause for the tremors reported in Ampara as to whether they related to human activities or natural causes, the chairman of the Bureau N.P. Wijayananda told the Sunday Observer.

He said they are now shortlisting the possible causes for these tremors to reach a conclusion on the cause for these tremors.

He said the two teams of geologists who were withdrawn from the area due to floods will be reassigned to their task from tomorrow to conduct further investigations as three more minor tremors were experienced at separate locations adjacent to the Senanayake Samudraya in Ampara on Friday from 9 am to 11 am.

These tremors were also registered in the seismic measurement instruments set up in the area.

Earlier, such tremors were reported from the Ampara, Wadinagala, Dewalahinda and Pallangala areas.

“Since about 98 percent of these tremors have been reported during the night and no such tremors reported during the holidays we feel that these tremors relate to human activities.

Since these are low level tremors there is no reason for people to panic”, he said.

He said the tremors were reported from the area from November 15 last year and the intense development activities in the district due to the Deyata Kirula exhibition to be held in Ampara may also be a cause for these occurrences. “We cannot say no to development activities but we have to find the real cause for these tremors”, he said.