A 5.8 Richter scale magnitude earthquake yesterday hit the southeast of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, triggering widespread tremors across the country, including Colombo, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said.
The bureau’s Acting Director General Ajith Prema told the Sunday Times that the earthquake was felt in many areas such as Colombo, Battaramulla, Pepiliyana, Galle, and Akuressa.
The earthquake took place at 12.59 p.m., some 1,200 km southeast of Hambantota.
“The earthquake took place at a depth of 10 kilometers. Therefore, there is no threat of a tsunami or impact on Sri Lanka,” he said.
Mr Prema said they were expecting aftershocks as the initial earthquake recorded a 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale. He added they were monitoring the situation to see if there would be aftershocks and further tremors.
The acting DG said Sri Lanka had been experiencing mild earth tremors during recent times but had not experienced strong earthquakes yet.
He said yesterday’s earthquake was a strong one as it was felt by Sri Lankans who are residing 1,260 km away from the epicentre. He added that geologists and scientists believed that a new plate margin was being created in the Indian Ocean’s south and southeastern regions, extending up to Australia. Therefore they believed tremors and earthquakes took place due to this phenomenon.
Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.
Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.
The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.
Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.
Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.
Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.
The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.
A young woman was found in the Dewipahala-Dodam Ella area in Kuruwita, after being brutally attacked and her gold necklace stolen
According to the police, the victim was found collapsed on the roadside with severe neck injuries caused by a sharp weapon. She was rushed to the Ratnapura Hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after admission.
The victim has been identified as a 26-year-old.
Arrests are yet to be made and an investigation is underway.
