Sri Lanka to probe frequent occurrence of tremors

 A minor tremor measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale hit Sri Lanka last night, but no casuality or damage was reported, officials said today.

The chief of Sri Lanka's Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Dr NP Wijayananda, said today that a tremor had shaken few areas at 2152 IST last night.

Residents of Colombo, central districts of Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and the eastern district of Ampara had reported the tremor. There was no damage.

"Our three seismic centres have recorded last night's tremor. What we are trying to investigate is its frequent occurrence".

He said that another cause for concern was that tremor had happened inland not triggered by any external quake or tremor.

"It was just 3.6 on the Richter scale so therefore not serious", Dr Wijayananda said.
There have been three separate occasions of tremors since mid-April and GSMB is investigating the occurrence of frequent tremors recently.

On April 11, an earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia caused tremors in Sri Lanka and even led to a tsunami alert.

Last week, another tremor was felt in the central hill districts and the southern district of Matara.